Steppingstone - Fall 2016 Newsletter

partnerinG With BpS

the tranSition to colleGe

Scholar reflectionS

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT VISITS STEPPINGSTONE

A CONVERSATION WITH DANIELLE GALLOWAY, STEPPINGSTONE COLLEGE SUCCESS COACH

ON LEADERSHIP, COLLEGE, AND THE STEPPINGSTONE DIFFERENCE

Steppingstone’s 2016 Fall Newsletter

stePPINGstONe’s FaLL 2016

NeWsLetter Highlights & News

paGe 4-5

Summer Snapshot

paGe 6-7

Boston Connections

paGe 8-9

Q&A - Transitioning to Life at College

paGe 10-11

Scholar Reflections

paGe 12-13

Celebrating the Class of 2016!

paGe 14-15

“i am so happy that Steppingstone continues to inspire me, not only through my own success but through the raw potential of the Scholars of this generation. as i watch Scholars work, play, and interact with one another, i see a burning passion to succeed that i have never noticed before. their desire to walk the walk and be more than they are is inspiring.“ - DaShaun

SiMon

The Steppingstone Academy ’10, Brimmer and May School ’17, and summer ’16 Teaching Assistant at Steppingstone

CONTENTS | paGe 3

Donor neWS >

thaNK YOu, BerYLsON FamILY!

fall at SteppinGStone >

aND theY’re OFF!

The Berylson family has long been among Steppingstone’s most dedicated supporters. In addition to contributing generously, they have been tireless advocates for Steppingstone and have been instrumental in spreading the word about our work throughout the greater Boston community.

In recognition of the family’s generosity, The Steppingstone Academy’s 14-month academic preparation component will now be named Berylson Scholars @ The Steppingstone Academy.

After another exciting summer, the school year is in full swing! The youngest Steppingstone Scholars completed their first Steppingstone classes this summer and have been hard at work in their after-school and Saturday classes this fall.

High school Scholars are preparing their college applications and trying new extracurricular activities, while newly minted college Scholars have settled into their routines on campuses across the country. Follow their journeys at the sites below! thesuccesseffect.org facebook.com/steppingstonefoundation twitter.com/Steppingstone90 instagram.com/steppingstonefoundation/

our neW looK >

“Over the years, the Berylsons have helped to provide countless Scholars with intensive academic enrichment, Independent School Entrance Exam preparation, and family support as they make their way through the preparation and placement component of The Steppingstone Academy,” said Steppingstone President Kelly Glew. “We are honored to publicly recognize their ongoing commitment to Steppingstone.”

aFter 25 Years, stePPINGstONe’s LOOK Is GettING aN uPDate A milestone anniversary is a natural time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. You may have noticed that this newsletter looks a little different from pieces you’ve received previously. We’re excited to announce that as we enter our 26th year, we’re debuting a new look - including an updated logo and color scheme. We hope our new appearance will help us to stand out as we continue to spread the word about Steppingstone throughout Boston. Our name, mission, and vision remain unchanged, and we are more committed than ever to supporting as many Boston students as possible in achieving their dream of graduating from college.

leaDerS in eDucation >

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tommy Chang visited Steppingstone’s summer programs at Milton Academy on August 4. Dr. Chang observed math and language arts classes, including one taught by Steppingstone Alumnus and current Boston Latin Academy teacher Anthony Mathieu ’02, and had the opportunity to talk to Scholars about what they were studying. He also learned about some of the hands-on activities in Steppingstone’s summer science curriculum.

Chang’s visit coincided with Steppingstone’s continued increase in programming throughout Boston Public Schools. Last year, Steppingstone’s College Success Academy began working with students from East Boston’s Donald McKay K-8 School, marking the program’s expansion beyond its three original Allston-Brighton partner schools.

“We were so grateful that Superintendent Chang took the time to come experience our programs and meet Steppingstone Scholars,” said Kelly Glew, Steppingstone’s president. “As we continue to work with more students throughout the city, we look forward to maintaining a strong relationship with Boston Public Schools.”

The highlight of the visit came when Dr. Chang sat down to chat with a group of Boston Public School Scholars in grades 5-12. The Scholars spoke about their Steppingstone experiences and shared their dreams for the future, which ranged from attending Boston College’s School of Nursing to becoming a video game designer.

Christopher Figueroa, Steppingstone Scholar and summer Teaching Assistant, speaks with Dr. Chang.

Scholars show Dr. Chang what they’ve been studying.

Dr. Chang discusses Boston education with Steppingstone leaders Kelly Glew and Sarah Conrad.

Shaking hands with a Steppingstone Scholar.

Event photography by Sam Moody

aWarDS >

PresIDeNt KeLLY GLeW hONOreD BY smartCeO Steppingstone President Kelly Glew was awarded SmartCEO’s Boston Brava Award, which honors high-impact female leaders of nonprofits and businesses. Glew was selected for her effective leadership and her passion for Steppingstone’s mission, preparing Boston’s youth for college success. She will be honored along with other nonprofit and business leaders at the Boston Brava Awards Ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel on October 19.

MILESTONES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | paGe 5

STEPPINGSTONE neWS

BPs suPerINteNDeNt VIsIts stePPINGstONe

Snapshot >

What a summer!

When people hear that Steppingstone Scholars choose to spend their summers in “school,” they’re often surprised. And though it’s true summers at Steppingstone are filled with rigorous classes and homework, the excitement and enthusiasm that are palpable throughout the Milton Academy campus make the time fly by. Here are just a few of the moments that made Summer 2016 another success.

SUMMER GallerY

SnapShot >

eXPLOrING BOstON Every Friday during the summer, College Success Academy Scholars spend the afternoon out of the classroom exploring some of the exciting learning activities Boston has to offer. This summer, field trips included trekking to the Blue Hills for a scavenger hunt, taking a class with Urbanity Dance, and feeding llamas at Wakefield Estates.

Here’s a glimpse into some of the fun they had!

GREAT MOMENTS FROM SUMMER 2016 | paGe 7

BirD’S eYe VieW >

stePPINGstONe’s sChOOL-Year PrOGrammING Is OFFICIaLLY IN FuLL sWING! After completing hundreds of hours of rigorous schoolwork this summer, Steppingstone Scholars are still hard at work building a solid foundation for their college goals. Throughout Boston, Scholars are: •

taking intensive Steppingstone classes in addition to their regular schoolwork;

•

preparing for the Independent School Entrance Exam and working on their applications to top independent and exam schools;

•

attending Saturday Mentoring and Study Hall (SMASH), which provides subject-specific tutoring, academic mentoring, and an encouraging environment for completing homework;

•

meeting regularly with their Steppingstone Advisors;

•

and taking advantage of Steppingstone events like workshops, conferences, college tours, class reunions, and more.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and partners, Steppingstone is able to support 1,600 Scholars (ranging from age 10 to age 24) as they pursue their dreams and aspirations.

If you’d like to come see our academic year programs for yourself, send us an email at events@tsf.org!

thoMaS a. eDiSon School During the school year, College Success Academy Scholars from three AllstonBrighton schools (the Edison School, the Jackson/Mann School, and the Gardner Pilot Academy) head here twice a week for after school classes and study hall.

Many CSA Scholars have made new friends from their neighborhoods after joining the Steppingstone community!

BoSton latin acaDeMY Berylson Scholars head here for Steppingstone Academy classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while older students participate in Saturday Mentoring and Study Hall (SMASH), workshops, and events.

In 2015, the McKay became the College Success Academy’s first partner school in East Boston. After school, hardworking Scholars spend Tuesday and Thursday afternoons studying in CSA classes.

SteppinGStone office Scholars and their families frequent Steppingstone’s South End office for college workshops, advising and financial aid meetings, and social events. Appleton Street is also home base for 40 staff members.

Milton acaDeMY Each summer, close to 300 Scholars take buses from neighborhoods throughout Boston to Milton’s campus, where they participate in six intensive (and fun!) weeks of study with Steppingstone.

SCHOLARS ARE HARD AT WORK THROUGHOUT BOSTON | paGe 9

BOSTON connectionS

DonalD McKaY School

BehinD the SceneS >

a CONVersatION WIth DaNIeLLe GaLLOWaY, stePPINGstONe COLLeGe suCCess COaCh 20% of first-time college students drop out after their freshman year at a four-year college.* Many will never go back. At Steppingstone, our goal is to provide hardworking Scholars with the resources they need to succeed in college and earn their degrees. Thanks to grant support from The Boston Foundation’s Success Boston Coaching for Completion Initiative, Steppingstone has recently been able to expand the services we provide to college Scholars and hire two full-time College Success Coaches. One of these Advisors, Danielle Galloway, is already diving into her second year coaching Steppingstone Scholars. From visiting students on campus to answering questions about course registration, Galloway serves as an invaluable resource to Scholars as they navigate the opportunities and challenges at their schools. She took time out of her busy schedule to talk with us about how she helps Steppingstone Scholars transition to college. *Source: National Center for Education Statistics; https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_ctr.asp

What DOes a tYPICaL DaY at WOrK LOOK LIKe FOr YOu? My favorite thing about my job is that there is no typical day! After all, there’s no such thing as a typical day for a college freshman, and since I work so closely with them, my job reflects that. My areas of focus depend on the time of year. Right now, we’re in the midst of fall, so I’ve been helping Scholars register for the correct classes, checking in with freshmen to make sure they’re getting comfortable on campus, and ensuring that sophomores are having a smooth adjustment as they return to school. In the College Services department, we try to work around the students’ lives and be as flexible and adaptable as we can. We tailor the tools we use to each Scholar and each campus we’re working with.

What are the maIN WaYs YOu heLP suPPOrt sChOLars as theY traNsItION tO COLLeGe? I think ensuring that Scholars have a sense of worth is one of the most important things. It’s hard for a student to get to college and find themselves surrounded by students who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds or who have had different life experiences. Oftentimes Scholars will wonder, “Do I belong here? Am I worthy of attending this school?” We have a lot of conversations with Scholars about being their best selves, getting past their fears, and taking healthy risks. Scholars have extremely high expectations for themselves, but when they feel self-doubt they sometimes become afraid to take risks or to make mistakes. In College Services, we help them keep moving forward and encourage them to see the opportunities in front of them, even when they aren’t feeling so confident.

are there aNY COmmON ChaLLeNGes YOu see sChOLars FaCING? hOW DO YOu heLP them COmBat thOse? Many Scholars head to college determined to follow a specific career path - becoming a doctor or a lawyer, for example and if they struggle with the coursework or realize they aren’t interested in that field anymore, it’s very hard for them to recalibrate and explore other interests.

Most of them want to find stable, financially secure careers, and they often feel like they’re failing if they don’t know exactly what they want to do right away. If you come from a family where no one has gone to college and you haven’t been exposed to a lot of different types of careers, you may not know how many different ways there are to find success.

As an Advisor, it’s hard to help them navigate through that place of uncertainty, but I try to encourage them to be open to college life, broaden their horizons, and allow themselves to grow. I ask them, “If you could design your own job, what would you do?” Getting them to ask themselves questions like that encourages them to think about their interests, broaden their horizons, and branch out from what they know.

DO YOu thINK aNY OF YOur OWN eXPerIeNCes as a stuDeNt heLPeD YOu reLate tO sChOLars?

Absolutely. I come from a low-income family and was a first-generation college student, so I understand the pressure that can come with that. Your parents want so badly to see you succeed, and it can be hard to say, “I’m struggling” to someone who expects you to excel. If your parents haven’t experienced college, they may not understand how hard it can be, and I think I’m able to empathize with the Scholars in talking about their families’ expectations versus reality. I can understand what they’re going through in a way that I wouldn’t be able to if I hadn’t had that experience.

IF sOmeONe heaDING tO COLLeGe asKeD YOu FOr ONe PIeCe OF aDVICe, What WOuLD YOu teLL them?

Don’t go to college thinking you have to discover college, let college discover you.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT COLLEGE SERVICES | paGe 11

STAFF inSiGhtS

hOW DID YOu eND uP IN YOur CurreNt rOLe at stePPINGstONe? I was a Posse Scholar at Boston University, which meant that I earned a full scholarship and had a lot of support through the program during my college career. Having a Posse mentor throughout my undergraduate career was essential to my success - having a person to answer all of my questions, even the ones I thought might seem stupid, transformed my college experience. When it was time to enter the professional world, I knew I wanted to do something similar for other students, and that led me to Steppingstone. I liked that the College Success Coach was a new position when I applied, because I felt that I could be innovative, add my own personal touch, and leave my mark on the organization.

Aurelie Marcelin ’12 >

Aurelie Marcelin ’12 is a junior at Boston Latin Academy, where she plays the violin in the Strings Ensemble, has been a peer tutor, and is a part of the AP Biology Hinton Scholars Program at Harvard. In 2016, she served as both a Steppingstone Peer Leader and a summer Teaching Assistant (TA) at the College Success Academy.

Before I came to Steppingstone, I had a lot of kids in my class, so my teachers couldn’t give me one-on-one help if I needed it. My first summer made such a difference - we had small classes and Advisors to help us, and I was even able to get ahead, which especially helped when I got to Boston Latin Academy.

through the entire college application process. He’s at Suffolk now - he was the first person in our family to go to college!

My younger sister is also a Scholar and is now at Boston Latin Academy with me.

I’ve been thinking about what I want to do in the future, and I want to go to Yale and major in law, then go to law school.

Through Steppingstone, I’ve had access to leadership opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. As a Peer Leader, I did a lot of public speaking, which used to make me nervous. I feel much more confident now, which has helped me in my classes at school since we do a lot of presentations.

There’s only so much you can learn in the classroom at school. As a TA, I’m trying to ingrain in Scholars’ minds that everything they’re learning this summer will help them when they go back to school and is giving them the building blocks for the future.

“As a TA, I’m trying to ingrain in Scholars’ minds that everything they’re learning this summer will help them when they go back to school and is giving them the building blocks for the future.“ I applied to become a TA this summer because I wanted to give back to a community that’s given so much to my family and to me. Steppingstone has changed our lives. The staff helped my older brother, who’s a Scholar, get into Belmont Hill, and they supported him

If you support Steppingstone, you’re supporting the future. The students who commence from Steppingstone do amazing things, and if you invest in a Steppingstone Scholar, you’re investing in someone who’s going to have a positive impact on the world.

SCHOLAR VoiceS

DaShaun SiMon ’10 >

Dashaun Simon ’10 is a senior at Brimmer and May School, where he plays soccer, basketball, and lacrosse and acts in theatre productions, including as the lead in In The Heights. He is also active in Sub/Urban Justice, a youth-led social justice organization. In 2016, he served as a summer Teaching Assistant at The Steppingstone Academy.

The summer program is where everything started for me at Steppingstone, and I think it’s one of the most important parts of being a Scholar. Summer learning prepares students to achieve what they want in the future, especially since many of these students really need that extra support. During my summers at Steppingstone, the classes helped me grow academically to the point where I almost felt overprepared when I went back to school in the fall. My work habits became much more diligent, and now I try to go above and beyond instead of just doing the bare minimum.

“in working with these kids, i see the engagement and the drive they have to succeed in life. i see how smart they are and how much they can accomplish if they get the right opportunities.”

In working with these kids, I see the engagement and the drive they have to succeed in life. I see how smart they are and how much they can accomplish if they get the right opportunities. They’re encouraged to thrive beyond what’s expected and to take leadership roles and live up to their full potential.

If I hadn’t become a Steppingstone Scholar, I never would have known how many possibilities were open to me. Before I became a Scholar, I didn’t know independent or charter schools existed. I was just focused on getting to eighth grade, and I hadn’t thought at all about what was beyond that. If I hadn’t done Steppingstone, I would not have as many goals for the future. I’m applying to college this year, and I want to study mechanical engineering.

Steppingstone opened my eyes, and since my first summer as a Scholar it’s continued to open doors for better opportunities.

All the Scholars who go through Steppingstone want to be here. They’re choosing to dedicate their summers and as a TA I’ve seen how driven they are.

They’re going above and beyond - it’s not summer school just to get by.

MEET TWO STEPPINGSTONE SCHOLARS | paGe 13

Commencement Reflections>

“We can sometimes forget why we’re doing what we’re doing. But remember, Scholars, no matter what you do, who you become, or where you go, Steppingstone will always be there for you, even when it seems like no one else will.”

-Rosaylin Bautista, TSA ’16, Boston Latin School 7th Grader “Steppingstone teaches you important lessons such as time management, organization, perseverance and relying on others.

Remember that as you move forward, and you will go to college!”

- Julien Burks, TSA ’16, Rivers School 6th Grader “My mom had experience with Steppingstone because my other siblings were Scholars too, so I knew it was a good program that would help me in the long run. I thought to myself, ‘If I do this program, it will be easier for me to get to college,’ because I knew about all the help and support I would get, and I had seen my siblings go through it and achieve the same goal.”

- Deena Bacare, TSA ’16, Boston Latin School 7th Grader “I didn’t realize how much CSA really meant to me until the 7th grade.

Who knew the decisions I made in 4th grade would play a very big role in my life? I realized why the whole staff pushed me so hard. It wasn’t to annoy me; it was to get me to where I am now. Through my CSA journey, I’ve learned a lot, met some of the greatest people in my life, and made some great friends who won’t be forgotten.”

- Nariah Richardson, CSA ’16, New Mission High School 9th Grader “Some goals for our class: number one, show respect. We have younger Scholars looking up to us, so it’s important for us to be respectful. And second, show kindness. You can’t get anywhere without it, because you get what you give.”

- Kausu Sillah, CSA ’17, Thomas Edison School 8th Grader

CeLeBratING the CLass OF 2016 On June 3, Steppingstone kicked off the summer at the second-ever College Success Academy commencement ceremony. Families, friends, and staff joined Scholars at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology to celebrate their hard work and commitment. On August 13, it was The Steppingstone Academy’s turn to celebrate, as the Class of 2016 gathered at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium. Both ceremonies were filled with humor, poignancy, and reflection as Scholars and keynote speakers shared wisdom and memories.

In addition to being a celebration of Scholars’ hard work, Commencement marks their transition to the Support Services phase of their Steppingstone journey. Each Scholar will continue to have a Steppingstone Advisor who will ensure they have the academic resources they need and provide socialemotional support through the rest of their educational careers.

Commencement photography by Sebastian Gomez

Congratulations, Class of 2016!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM COMMENCEMENT | paGe 15

STEPPINGSTONE celeBrateS

SnapShot >

THE STEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION ONE APPLETON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116

Summer photography by Thad Russell

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