Thursday, October 18, 2012

Calling all high school students... College fairs to look out for!

CICU Sponsors Fifth Annual Latino College Fair; Free and Open to the Public
Latino College Fair / Feria De Estudios Universitarios Para Latinos
$500 Scholarship Drawing for High School Seniors*
WHAT: The fifth annual Latino College Fair for high school students and their families, organized by the Albany, NY-based Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU). Students and parents/guardians will be able to meet and talk with more than 50+ independent college and university admission and financial aid representatives. The purpose of the workshop and fair is to assist students and families in preparing for the college admissions process. The fair is free and open to the public.
WHO: Nearly 1,000 high school students and their families; admissions representatives from more than 50 independent colleges and universities in New York State.
WHEN: Date/ Fecha: Saturday, October 27, 2012 / 27 de Octubre, 2012;
Time/Hora: 11:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
WHERE: Location/ Lugar: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus; 441 East Fordham Road; Bronx, NY 10458
(If driving, use GPS directions: 2853 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458)
Directions: http://www.fordham.edu/discover_fordham/where_is_fordham/maps__directions/rose_hill_directions
SCHEDULE:
11:30 a.m. Registration opens (Keating Hall)
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Welcome Remarks; Planning and Paying for College Workshop
(simultaneous Spanish translation available)
*Note: The $500 Scholarship drawing for high school seniors will be held during the workshop. The Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship drawing is for high school seniors only. Parents may enter for their students but the student or parent must be present to win.
1:00 – 3:45 p.m. Financial Aid “Ask the Expert” tables (McGinley Center)
2:00 – 3:45 p.m. College Fair featuring campus information tables and discussions with admissions and financial aid representatives from 50+private, not-for-profit colleges and universities (McGinley Center)
Participating Colleges and Universities (as of October 9):
Adelphi University, Bard College, Barnard College, Boricua College, Bramson ORT College, Canisius College, Clarkson University, Colgate University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, The College of New Rochelle, College of Saint Rose, Columbia Univeristy, Cornell University, Dominican College, Dorothea Hopfer School of Nursing, Elmira College, Eugene Lang The New School for Liberal Arts, Fordham University, Iona College, Ithaca College, Le Moyne College, Long Island University Brooklyn HEOP, Long Island University C.W. Post, Manhattan College, Manhattanville College, Marist College, Marymount Manhattan College, Mercy College, Metropolitan College of New York, Molloy College, Nazareth College, The New School, New York Institute of Technology, New York Institute of Technology – NYCOM, New York University, Niagara University, Nyack College, Pace University, Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Sage Colleges, Sarah Lawrence, Siena College, Skidmore College, St. Bonaventure University, St. John Fisher College, St. John's University, St. Joseph's College, St. Lawrence University, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Syracuse University, Touro College – New York School of Career and Applied Studies, Union College, University of Rochester, Utica College, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, and Wells College.
Twitter Hashtag: #LatinoFair12
REGISTER: http://www.nycolleges.org/
EVENT CONTACTS: Susan Nesbitt Perez at susan@cicu.org or Sabra-Joi Dingman at sabra@cicu.org. Office Phone: 518-436-4781.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Miller at jennifer@cicu.org. Office Phone: 518-436-4781
About the Event: This event is funded primarily through a federal College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) awarded to cIcu by the New York State Higher Education Services Corp, the state agency designated to administer CACG. Additional support from cIcu, Fordham University, The Sallie Mae Fund, the Daily News and cIcu member colleges and universities. Since 2008, CICU has held four Latino College Fairs at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale and at Fordham University. In 2011, nearly 900 students, family members, teachers and counselors attended to learn about college, college admissions, and financial aid. CICU also formed a K-16 “Hispanic Outreach Network” to increase communication and share best practices, concerns, and resources between schools, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities. The Network’s 450 members strive to increase awareness of and success in college for Hispanic students.
About CICU (www.cicu.org; www.nycolleges.org): Since 1981, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU)’s Outreach Programs has produced helpful publications for students, parents, and schools about CICU's 100+ member private colleges and universities, college admissions, and financial aid. Available free of charge, the latest series includes: Your College Search and Affording College/Como pagar la universidad. CICU outreach also includes the Sector's admissions and financial aid website, www.nycolleges.org, which features free resources and profiles of New York's private colleges and universities and degree offerings throughout the state.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Internships at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden


Internships at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This opportunity is for 8th through 12th grade students.  

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an easy commute from many boroughs…

Dear Friends of Brooklyn Botanic Garden:

Do you know any teens who enjoy getting their hands dirty? Who want to work with other teens and learn about science and urban farming? 

We are now accepting applications for the Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at Brooklyn Botanic Garden - a great way for students to learn about urban agriculture and the environment while working in one of the most exciting public gardens in the world!  Apprentices can work their way up the four-tier program, potentially earning a paid position as a Senior Apprentice. Applications are due December 5.
BBG’s Garden Apprentices:
  • Work with children, behind-the-scenes with staff, or with Garden visitors
  • Learn about botany, environmentalism, and protecting the earth
  • Grow, harvest, and cook their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the Children's Garden
  • Explore in depth Brooklyn Botanic Garden's plant collections and greenhouses
  • Develop job skills, including teamwork, communication, and responsibility
Apprentices make a nine-month commitment to GAP, from March to November, which includes spring training, summer programming, and a weekly commitment afterschool or on weekends throughout the academic year.  
Come to our Open House to find out more:  Saturday, November 10, 1pm.  

RSVP requested: 718-623-7252 or gap@bbg.org.

Check out our website for photos, frequently asked questions, and applications: www.bbg.org/gap!
Best, Saara Nafici

Garden Apprentice Program, Coordinator
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
*Please note I am in the office Tuesdays-Saturdays.*

Friday, October 12, 2012

Northern Manhattan events in NYC Parks uptown...


Northern Manhattan Parks 
Join us for It's My Park Day opportunities and a special walking tour of Dyckman Valley!
Events
Delving into Dyckman Valley's Past with Sidney Horenstein
Sunday, October 14
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join Sidney Horenstein, geologist and Educator Emeritus, American Museum of Natural History, as he leads his geology, history and natural history walk through Dyckman Valley. Dyckman Street and 125th Street are the only sea level acesses to the Hudson River in the northern half of Manhattan Island. Both developed along major NYC faults and both were the locations of early communities. The walk will point out some of the botanical and geological features of Dyckman Street and the shore path south of it. Location: Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park).
Sunday, October 14, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Meet at Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park)
For more information please contact the Urban Park Rangers at (212) 304-2365.
It's My Park Day! 
On It's My Park Day, give a little back to your favorite park. Throughout the city, New Yorkers will be chipping in to clean up and help maintain their parks and playgrounds with the help of Partnerships for Parks. 
Locations

Fort Washington Park 
Saturday, October 20
9:00 a.m.
Rocky's Run Volunteers needs help to clean-up, spread woodchips and plant bulbs around the dog run.
Meet on the west side of 165th Street and Riverside Drive.

Inwood Hill Park 
Saturday, October 20
10:00 a.m.
Help Inwoof clean Homer's Run and plant bulbs.
Meet at the dog run. Enter Inwood Hill Park from Isham Street and Seaman Avenue and go toward the flagpole.

Sherman Creek
Saturday, October 20
11:00 a.m.
Help the Friends of Sherman Creek beautify Sherman Creek Parks at the street ends on 202nd, 203rd and 204th Streets, plus help with a coastal clean-up.
Meet at 203rd street and 9th Avenue near the Harlem River.
Highbridge Park
Saturday, October 20
10:00 a.m.
Highbridge Canine Club and NYRP are having a dog run clean-up and bulb planting.
Meet at 191st and Amsterdam Avenue.

Riverside Oval
Saturday, October 20
9:00 a.m.
Help Riverside Oval Association plant bulbs and spread woodchips.
Meet inside the Greenstreet at 156th Street and Riverside Drive.

Bruce's Garden
Saturday, October 20
11:00 a.m.
Help Isham Park Restoration Program 1970, Inc. paint the garden shed, plant bulbs and spread woodchips.
Meet in the garden on Park Terrace East and 214th Street in Isham Park.

Street Trees along Academy Street
Saturday, October 20
11:00 a.m.
Have fun caring for our street trees with the Rose Court Tentant Association.
Meet at Payson Avenue Parkhouse, near Henshaw and Dyckman Street.

Indian Road Playground
Saturday, October 20
11:00 a.m.
Help clean-up and rake leaves with Friends of Indian Road Playground.
Meet at the playground near 214th street and Indian Road inside the park.

Bennett Park
Saturday, October 20
1:00 p.m.
Help the Bennett Park Community Alliance paint the fences around the playground and plant bulbs.
Meet near the playground near 184th Street. Enter the park from Ft. Washington Avenue.
West 181st Street Stairs Community Garden
Sunday, October 21
10:00 a.m.
Come help West 181st Street Beautification Project clean-up and plant bulbs.
Meet at Pinehurst and 181st Street.
J. Hood Wright Park 
Saturday, October 27
10:00 a.m.
Help the Friends of J. Hood Wright Park with clean-up and plant bulbs near the dog run.
Meet by the Dog Run near Haven Avenue and 173rd Street.

Fort Tryon Park
Sunday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
Help the Friends Committee of the Ft. Tryon Park Trust to plant bulbs throughout subway terrace.
Meet at Margaret Corbin Circle entrance to the Heather Garden.
Isham Park
Sunday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
Help Volunteer's for Isham Park (VIP) with planting various bulbs and other beautifying efforts.
Meet by the Memorial Stone benches inside the park above Broadway and 212th enter at Broadway and 211th and walk north.
 

WHEELS Peer Mediation team forming

WHEELS Peer Mediation team forming

See Julie Liriano, class of 2013, for information.

WHEELS Academic Integrity Committee Forming

WHEELS Academic Integrity Committee Forming

See Cristal Batista, class of 2013, for information!

Volunteer for Critical Resistance



ABOUT

MISSION

Critical Resistance seeks to build an international movement to end the Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling people makes us safe. We believe that basic necessities such as food, shelter, and freedom are what really make our communities secure. As such, our work is part of global struggles against inequality and powerlessness. The success of the movement requires that it reflect communities most affected by the PIC. Because we seek to abolish the PIC, we cannot support any work that extends its life or scope.

VISION

Critical Resistance’s vision is the creation of genuinely healthy, stable communities that respond to harm without relying on imprisonment and punishment. We call our vision abolition, drawing, in part from the legacy of the abolition of slavery in the 1800′s. As PIC abolitionists we understand that the prison industrial complex is not a broken system to be fixed.  The system, rather, works precisely as it is designed to—to contain, control, and kill those people representing the greatest threats to state power. Our goal is not to improve the system even further, but to shrink the system into non-existence. We work to build healthy, self-determined communities and promote alternatives to the current system.
Critical Resistance (CR) is building a member-led and member-run grassroots movement to challenge the use of punishment to “cure” complicated social problems. We know that more policing and imprisonment will not make us safer. Instead, we know that things like food, housing, and freedom are what create healthy, stable neighborhoods and communities. We work to prevent people from being arrested or locked up in prison. In all our work, we organize to build power and to stop the devastation that the reliance on imprisonment and policing has brought to ourselves, our families, and our communities.



http://criticalresistance.org/


Volunteer! Green Teens Program

Teens who become involved in Parks’ Citywide Green Teens Program do not just receive community service credit for participation; they become immersed in environmental stewardship. From collecting bags of recyclables, picking up litter in the parks, planting and caring for trees, removing non-native invasive plants, promoting a public recycling initiative, learning about composting, conducting energy audits and creating anti-litter videos for a PSA contest, the Green Teens made 2012 a summer hard to forget. 

In fact, this year marked the first citywide expansion of the Green Teens program. Due to internal and external partnerships amongst Public Programs, Operations, Capital Projects, Computer Resource Centers, MillionTreesNYC, City Parks Foundation, Department of Sanitation and Solar 1, we were able to provide an enriching summer learning experience to the 217 teenagers from the five boroughs. From 2011 to 2012, the number of Green Teens sites doubled from 10 to 21 and included recreation centers and parks. At these sites, teens managed to collect 2,167 bags of litter and recyclables, adopt 65 trees, and display nine PSA videos at 51 screenings reaching 10,200 viewers! 

Tomorrow’s Daily Plant will feature Green Teens projects in Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.

Do you know someone who is between the ages of 13-17 years old and interested in serving his/her community by making it a cleaner and greener place to live? Email green.teens@parks.nyc.gov to learn more or to get involved in the Green Teens program at your local recreation center. 

http://www.nycgovparks.org/