Difference between revisions of "Alternative Break Project"
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Since the inaugural trip, which was held at Carl T. Middle School in Phoenix, the Alternative Break has occurred on the first week of January with applications for interested members being due in late September/Early October. During the trip, brothers have had the opportunity to build playgrounds for students, shadow [[Teach For America]] Corp Members, participate in panel discussions, and visit the local area. | Since the inaugural trip, which was held at Carl T. Middle School in Phoenix, the Alternative Break has occurred on the first week of January with applications for interested members being due in late September/Early October. During the trip, brothers have had the opportunity to build playgrounds for students, shadow [[Teach For America]] Corp Members, participate in panel discussions, and visit the local area. | ||
| − | == | + | ==2008 Alternative Break Trip== |
| − | === | + | During his 2006-2008 term, then Vice President of Chapter Development Erik "Duff" Walschburger announced plans to further increase the scope of Phi Sigma Pi's support of the organization with an alternative break that would occur in January of 2008. Plans were made for brothers to travel to Carl T. Smith Middle School in Pheonix Arizona. |
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| + | ===Carl T. Smith Middle School=== | ||
| + | The Carl T. Smith Middle School served 420 5th through 8th grade scholars (please note that the school does not use the term students). Located at the corner of 43rd Avenue and Van Buren in downton Phoenix, CTS serves a community made up of 99% ethnic minorities, over 90% qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, and almost two thirds are English language learners. Because of explosive growth in the area, CTS underwent a second construction phase and had recently added 13 more classrooms and 8 more bathrooms. Maximum capacity at CTS is now 500 scholars. | ||
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| + | In the three years prior to the 2008 break, CTS experienced many ups and downs academically. In 2004-2005, CTS scholars performed well academically and thus recieved a favorable state label of performing. However, in 2005-2006, student achievement suffered greatly as a result of high teacher turnover, high student mobility, issues with violence and behavior, and eventual replacement of school administration. During the 2006-2007 academic year with a new, energized staff and administration, test scores raised significantly and behavior incidents nearly diminished. Behavior incidents were reduced by nearly 75%, reading scores increased by 60%, and math scores increased by nearly 80%. | ||
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| + | ==2009 Alternative Break Trip== | ||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
Revision as of 13:00, 5 September 2008
The Alternative Break Project is a trip in which 15-30 brothers travel to an underprivileged school to engage in volunteer service. The project began in 2007 when Vice President of Chapter Development Erik Walschburger announced his plan to further increase the scope of Phi Sigma Pi's support of the organization. The inaugural trip was held at Carl T. Smith Middle School in January 2008.
Since the inaugural trip, which was held at Carl T. Middle School in Phoenix, the Alternative Break has occurred on the first week of January with applications for interested members being due in late September/Early October. During the trip, brothers have had the opportunity to build playgrounds for students, shadow Teach For America Corp Members, participate in panel discussions, and visit the local area.
Contents
2008 Alternative Break Trip
During his 2006-2008 term, then Vice President of Chapter Development Erik "Duff" Walschburger announced plans to further increase the scope of Phi Sigma Pi's support of the organization with an alternative break that would occur in January of 2008. Plans were made for brothers to travel to Carl T. Smith Middle School in Pheonix Arizona.
Carl T. Smith Middle School
The Carl T. Smith Middle School served 420 5th through 8th grade scholars (please note that the school does not use the term students). Located at the corner of 43rd Avenue and Van Buren in downton Phoenix, CTS serves a community made up of 99% ethnic minorities, over 90% qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, and almost two thirds are English language learners. Because of explosive growth in the area, CTS underwent a second construction phase and had recently added 13 more classrooms and 8 more bathrooms. Maximum capacity at CTS is now 500 scholars.
In the three years prior to the 2008 break, CTS experienced many ups and downs academically. In 2004-2005, CTS scholars performed well academically and thus recieved a favorable state label of performing. However, in 2005-2006, student achievement suffered greatly as a result of high teacher turnover, high student mobility, issues with violence and behavior, and eventual replacement of school administration. During the 2006-2007 academic year with a new, energized staff and administration, test scores raised significantly and behavior incidents nearly diminished. Behavior incidents were reduced by nearly 75%, reading scores increased by 60%, and math scores increased by nearly 80%.
2009 Alternative Break Trip
Purpose
Funding and Contributions
The National Fraternity has set forth numerous initiatives to help brothers fund or contribute to the Alternative Break Trip. The In 2008, the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation set forth a goal of raising $10,000.00 to help fund the trip. 2008-2010 Senior Vice President Matthew Nicoletta and Karen Cohick helped to create a fundraising page on the National Website and Joshua Marder and Jonah Goodman worked to create a facebook cause page, facilitating donations from brothers to the event. These donations typically go to the purchase of playground equipment, asphalt, and playground stencils.
