PALS 2019 Program Report

PHILLIPS ACADEMY 2019 OUTREACH PROGRAM REPORT

PALS

2019 PALS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Thirty-four students from nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts, participated in PALS in 2019, the program’s 32nd year. They were supported throughout the year by interim director Dr. Sean McCarthy, four master teachers, and eight volunteer tutors from Phillips Academy and Andover High School. A low student-teacher ratio enabled individualized attention, meaningful mentoring, and the development of important friendships.

OUR MISSION The PALS program, founded in 1988, is an academic-year tutoring and high school preparation program for 7thand 8th‑grade students from the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts. PALS, which

SITE-BASED TUTORING. Continuing the efforts of recent years, PALS tutors traveled to Lawrence two afternoons per week. Focused on English language arts and mathematics, they built content knowledge and connections with 7th- and 8th-graders at UP Academy Leonard, Spark Academy, UP Academy Oliver, and the Parthum Middle School.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS. In fall 2018, PALS partnered with an area college to provide teachers for PALS—and to offer these student-teachers real-life instructional experience.

As part of their practicum course, college students wrote weekly lesson plans and led

stands for Phillips Academy, Andover,

classrooms one afternoon per week.

and Lawrence Schools, brings middle

NINTH-GRADE SUMMER. In July 2019, PALS opened its summer experience to rising

schoolers together with tutors from Phillips Academy and Andover High School—for the benefit of all.

WHO WE SERVE Students are recommended to PALS in their 7th-grade year. PALS also runs a four-week experience each July for a small cohort of rising 7th-, 8th-, and

9th-graders for the first time to offer additional support as they prepare to enter their selected high school. The plan is to continue with programming for rising 7th-, 8th-, and 9th-graders each year.

ENHANCED SUMMER ELECTIVES. The entire PALS student cohort rotated through a series of week-long enrichment courses offered by our certified teachers. Courses included public speaking, culinary arts, Native American studies, and an introduction to philosophy. Students also chose an additional elective—environmental science, beatboxing, singing, or playground games—that was based on our teaching assistants’ unique skills and interests.

9th-graders on the Phillips Academy campus.

WHAT WE TEACH Focused on English and mathematics— along with preparation for secondary school entrance exams—PALS teaches the necessary academic content for school success as well as the life and social skills needed for a smooth transition to high school and beyond.

Visit www.andover.edu/pals to hear directly from our scholars about PALS and its impact on their lives.

FROM THE NEW DIRECTOR It was with immense pride and enthusiasm that I began my new position as director of PALS on September 1.

The mission of PALS resonates on a personal level. Growing up in the city of Lawrence and attending its public schools has defined many aspects of who I am—of how I see the world around me and my position in it. That experience led me to a fulfilling career in education—and is the foundation of my passion for supporting students as they transition to high school and beyond!

A primary goal of PALS is to inform a community of middle schoolers—and their families— about the many public and private high school options that exist, provide and educate them about resources for admission, guide them through the application process, and

NICOLE SHADEED Director

unconditionally support whatever decision they make.

The PALS program opens doors to new opportunities and aims to improve students’

Born and raised in Lawrence, Nicole Shadeed

overall success in high school, elevate the graduation rate, and ultimately increase college

attended the city’s public schools from kindergarten

matriculation and degree completion percentages.

through grade 12. A first-generation college student,

In recent years, PALS’ collaboration with Lawrence has grown to four middle schools. As

she holds a BA in English and master’s degrees in

I work to strengthen partnerships and develop new ones, the PALS program hopes to serve

education and school counseling. Shadeed returned

as a resource for Lawrence school counselors, students, and families. With an eye toward

to Lawrence High School to start her career in

access and equity, my goal in the years ahead is to open the academic-year program to

education as an English teacher and later became a

all Lawrence public middle school students, while galvanizing the impactful work of our

school counselor. In addition to her role as director

dedicated high school tutors.

of PALS, she is an associate director of College

As these broad changes get under way, please do not hesitate to contact me at

Counseling at Phillips Academy.

PALS@andover.edu. I welcome your ideas!

96% of PALS students reported they felt “better” or “much better” about their math skills after a summer in PALS

4

new week-long electives: PUBLIC SPEAKING • CULINARY ARTS

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES

61% Latinx 6% Asian Pacific Islander 9% Black or African American

2019 PALS students

10% chose to not identify

14% Multiracial

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

400+ PALS alumni

300+ Current/former PA and AHS tutors

REFLECTIONS from PALS PARTICIPANTS “Teaching in PALS for two years has helped me understand the satisfaction that teachers get by helping kids excel. It has made me appreciate the teachers that I have had in the past and opened the possibility of teaching

ANAY

Teaching Assistant & Tutor

as a career.”

Anay is a senior at Phillips Academy.

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

“Because of PALS’ small class sizes, students become more engaged and have ready access to

________________________________________

help, which makes them more confident in their

Name

work. By working with the students in a different

________________________________________

environment, we can understand and connect with

Street address

them better.”

JAMI

Jami is a 2019 Phillips Academy graduate.

PALS STUDENTS ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Teaching Assistant & Tutor

________________________________________ City/town

State/country Postcode

________________________________________ Phone

________________________________________

“I have learned to stay focused during class

Email

and have greatly improved both my math and reading skills. I’ve also become a good

LEANNY

Rising 8th-Grader

note-taker and tracker. I strongly believe

MY GIFT TO PALS

that being a pupil at PALS will help me not

One-Time Amount $_____________

only attend a better high school, but also be a better student in high school.”

Recurring Gift $_____________

Amount of each payment

n Annual n Monthly n Quarterly My gift is in honor /memory of ________________________________________

“Learning things this summer that I’ll have to do next year allows me to be prepared and feel more

MY PAYMENT METHOD

confident. I’ve advanced, especially in math. The

Credit Card #_________________________________ ______

tutors taught me trigonometry this past school year and now they’re giving me more challenges. PALS helped me grow as a person as well.”

JUANLUIS

Rising 8th-Grader

(Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover)

Exp. date

__________________________________ ______ Name on card

CVV

Check payable to Trustees of Phillips Academy

“I really look forward to English class because we all get involved in a great conversation about the book we’re reading. PALS also has classes that prepare you to speak publicly and teach you to cook. PALS is amazingly

KAMILA

Rising 8th-Grader

helpful and welcoming.”

Online at www.andover.edu/supportpals All gifts count toward Andover's Knowledge & Goodness campaign and are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Mail to: Trustees of Phillips Academy PO Box 55557 Boston, MA 02205-8166 20L02MX01

Donor Profile: Aseem Gupta ’98

LESSONS LEARNED BY A PALS TUTOR “It was at Andover where I learned the importance of community service,” says Aseem Gupta. “Lifting up and helping our neighbors is essential to a strong, just community, and such engagement with our neighbors needs to be a selfless act with no expectation of gain.

That principle—which I learned as a PALS teachermentor—has been my guiding light when it’s come to both my pro bono work and my charitable giving.”

Gupta, a longtime PALS donor, worked with Lawrence middle schoolers weekly during his upper and senior years at Phillips Academy. His interactions with the younger students—both challenging and gratifying—set the stage for his current pro bono

FEELING INSPIRED? YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Every gift directly benefits today’s PALS students and creates lasting value in their lives.

work as an attorney at Salesforce, a California-based enterprise cloud computing company with a strong commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism.

“My PALS experience was incredibly valuable. It was the first time I felt empowered to make a difference in the life of someone who was not otherwise going to get the help they needed,” says Gupta. “PALS teaches students to act locally first—and that idea has been central to my work. It’s all well and good to want to change the world, but you have to start locally.”

Gupta, who lives in San Francisco, provides pro bono legal assistance to the unhoused in San Francisco, Bay Area veterans, and undocumented immigrants. He also sits on the board of the Family Violence Appellate Project, which provides free legal services to

We can’t do it without you. Please support

domestic violence survivors and their children.

these deserving middle schoolers at www.andover.edu/supportpals.

To discuss your impact, please contact Beth Parsons, director for museums and educational outreach, at 978-749-4523 or bparsons@andover.edu.

Thank you!

More than

$100 K in scholarships awarded to PALS students each year for secondary school

THANK YOU, ALIX DRISCOLL This past spring, after 31 years as the program’s 8th-grade English and language arts teacher, assistant director, donor, cheerleader, and champion, Alix Driscoll retired. Hundreds of PALS students have benefited from her guidance, support, and love throughout the years, and their collective gratitude was aptly summed up in this note from a former student: “I so appreciated your good humor, kindness, joy, and love for teaching. As I finish my first year of medical school, I can’t help but think that you are one of the formative reasons I chose a career in service. Thank you, Alix, for everything.”

Driscoll, the parent of two Phillips Academy alumni, now plans to spend more time with her grandchildren. “I’ve had the best job in the world,” she says. “It’s been a privilege to work with youngsters right at the cusp of independence and to help them make important decisions.” Driscoll’s deeply passionate approach to her work will continue to impact her former students and colleagues for years to come, as the opportunities she has helped to secure for PALS scholars will open doors long after she has stepped away from the daily work of teaching and directing the program.

Thank you! The generous contributions of our 2018–2019 donors ensure the continued success of PALS and provide critical resources for program participants.

Foundations

for Recruitment of Teachers,

Betty Beland Greater Lawrence Summer Fund Charles E. Foisy & Florida C.A. Foisy Foundation Edward S. & Winifred G. Moseley Foundation Charles G. Pringle Foundation Josephine G. Russell Trust Artemas W. Stearns Trust Nathaniel & Elizabeth Stevens Foundation Waldo Trust

(MS)2, and PALS—have long

Individuals

served as resources for students

Julia A. Alvarez ’67 & William Eichner Rachel L. Bain ’98 Donald T. Barry & Roxanne Scott Barry P’94, ’97, ’02 Sharon Beckwith GP’17, ’19, ’21 Louis M. Bernieri P’96, ’10 Robert A. Briggs ’82, P’11 Victoria S. Briggs ’11 Stephen B. Burbank ’64 & Ellen Coolidge Burbank Ellinor Parnes Campbell ’01 & John-Paul Campbell Carolyn Chica ’08 James C-C. Chie ’96 Hillary L. Chute ’94 Bradford J. Colbert ’06 Michael W. Corkery ’93 Laura J. Cox ’88 & Dan Rogoff Christopher B. Dayton ’83 & Rebecca Hiland Dayton ’87 Natalie E. ’05 & Ethan W. Dean Cynthia DeAngelis & Francis P. Coyle Michael R. Deschenes ’91 & Mary‑Ellen Odesse Michael J. & Rose Marie DiResta P’00

A PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH A PUBLIC PURPOSE Phillips Academy’s four educational outreach programs— Andover Bread Loaf, the Institute

and teachers locally, nationally, and worldwide.

Peter L. Drench P’90, ’95 & Anne Ferguson John J. & Alexandra Driscoll P’88, ’91 Patricia H. & George H. Edmonds P’79, ’82 Mariano L., Jr. & Mary Rose Ezpeleta P’84, ’85, ’90 Patrick J. & Karen J. Farrell P’08 Lisa M. Foster ’84, P’12, ’22 Alan F. French P’77, ’82 Beth Friedman & Sherri Bisci Andrew Frishman ’93 & Leigh Needleman Kay B. Frishman P’93 Ziwerekoru C. Fumudoh ’10 Michael G. & Joann M. Furlong P’09 Elinor Cahill Georgopulo ’44 Sydney Henriquez Glover ’56 & J. Denis Glover Yauvana V. Gold ’97 & Chris K. Gold, MD Benjamin & Mona K. Goldthwaite P’18, ’20, ’22 Nathan C. Goldthwaite ’18 Henry H. Hammond ’54 David B. ’79 & Christine E. Hartzell P’18 Carol Hepworth Karina E. Hernandez-Guarniz & Angel Guarniz Julia S. Horowitz ’73 & Philip Mittleman Omar A. Jaffer ’98 Mei Jiang & Ming Du P’19 Michael J. ’94 & Amy Koehler Durgesh A. Kudchadkar ’94 Jung C. Lew & Kay Kim Lew P’79, ’84, ’87, GP’19, ’21 Thomas P. Lockerby & Kathleen J. McCrickerd Eleanor Coneeney Lyons P’78, ’81, ’83, ’89, GP’11, ’14

Todd Marshman Cassandra C. Melvin ’02 L. Nneka Mobbisson-Etuk ’92 Fatuma Mustefa Nicholas ’98 & Johanna Olmo John G. Palfrey & Catherine A. Carter P’21, ’23 Susannah C. Parker ’98 Beth & Tim Parsons William C. ’85 & Katherine C. Parsons Gillian L. & Jonathan Z. Pearlson P’21, ’23 Daniel S. Rabinovitz ’97 & Darcy Lapp-Rabinovitz Habib & Sandra S. Rahman P’08, ’10 Nicaury M. Rodriguez David L. Ross ’70 Beverly A. Schiripo Frank Shadeed Nicole K. Shadeed & Sean J. McCarthy James M. ’69 & Silvia C. Shannon P’98 Aram J. Shrestinian ’11 Kristina Stahlbrand ’61 & Dean B. Pineles Deborah L. Stahl-Hannam ’80, P’17 Kristin Strapko Eric B. Tang ’85 Ana D. & Domingo Taveras P’21 Sylvia L. Thayer ’54 & J. Philip Zaeder P’79, ’83, GP’17, ’18 Corinna S. Torabi ’14 Emily A. Wei ’09 Jeff C. ’84 & Laura Woodhead Madeline P. Zerbey ’18 Hongwei Zhu & Xiaoqi Zhang P’21 Carolyn M. & James P. Zimmer P’17, ’20

This list reflects gifts received from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. P = Phillips Academy Parent GP = Phillips Academy Grandparent

180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810

www.andover.edu/pals