AUBURN - When it comes to going to college, the students at Genesee Street Elementary School have no excuses.
In one month, when this year's kindergartners walk through the Auburn Enlarged City School District elementary school's front doors, they, along with every other student in the school, will know what is expected of them: When they get older, they are going to college. No excuses.
Genesee Elementary was recently accepted as a No Excuses University, a network of schools throughout the United States that fosters a culture of high achievement and college readiness to all students. The university is administered by TurnAround Consulting, LLC., based out of California, and Genesee is the first school in New York to be designated as such.
“We hope that every student will say, 'I hope I go to college, and I know I need to achieve academically to get there,'” Principal Ron Gorney said.
The push to join No Excuses University came in the spring of 2008, when Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction met Damen Lopez, who founded TurnAround Schools in 2006. A representative from TurnAround Schools came to the New York last year to build a timeline with specific tasks the district needed to complete.
Within 10 months, Genesee completed those tasks as well as an extensive application process, and now as a member can move forward. A kickoff event is being planned for students this fall.
As a requirement of the university, Genesee Elementary School teachers have to put in place two systems to ensure students achieve those goals. The first is an assessment and intervention system - one previously established at the school, but strengthened for the program - that builds upon the belief that all students can learn and schools have the power to make that happen.
The other is to develop a culture in the school that instills in children the importance of going off to college and furthering their education. There is a heavy reliance upon college symbolism in the school, with banners hung on walls and pens with college logos situated on desks.
But that is just the beginning, Gorney said. Each classroom will be “adopted” by a college or university - from both near and far - this year, and those partnerships will allow elementary school students to interact with their older counterparts, ask questions about college life and academic studies.
Each higher education institution will provide its partnering classroom with T-shirts, and students will wear them to school every Friday. Students will also learn colleges' songs, follow athletic teams, and in some cases either visit the campus or conduct video conferencing.
Fourth-grade teacher Cinda Gilmore, a graduate of Wells College in Aurora, used her connections to partner with her alma mater this year. Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Hare is partnering with Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., and last year students toured Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa. Other partnerships include University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., and Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt.
By bringing college to the forefront of students' minds, Gorney believes, “It makes it a reality for them.”
Added school Library Media Specialist Anne Mlod, “And they will realize what they need to do to make it a reality.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Genesee Elementary was recently accepted as a No Excuses University, a network of schools throughout the United States that fosters a culture of high achievement and college readiness to all students. The university is administered by TurnAround Consulting, LLC., based out of California, and Genesee is the first school in New York to be designated as such.
“We hope that every student will say, 'I hope I go to college, and I know I need to achieve academically to get there,'” Principal Ron Gorney said.
The push to join No Excuses University came in the spring of 2008, when Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction met Damen Lopez, who founded TurnAround Schools in 2006. A representative from TurnAround Schools came to the New York last year to build a timeline with specific tasks the district needed to complete.
Within 10 months, Genesee completed those tasks as well as an extensive application process, and now as a member can move forward. A kickoff event is being planned for students this fall.
As a requirement of the university, Genesee Elementary School teachers have to put in place two systems to ensure students achieve those goals. The first is an assessment and intervention system - one previously established at the school, but strengthened for the program - that builds upon the belief that all students can learn and schools have the power to make that happen.
The other is to develop a culture in the school that instills in children the importance of going off to college and furthering their education. There is a heavy reliance upon college symbolism in the school, with banners hung on walls and pens with college logos situated on desks.
But that is just the beginning, Gorney said. Each classroom will be “adopted” by a college or university - from both near and far - this year, and those partnerships will allow elementary school students to interact with their older counterparts, ask questions about college life and academic studies.
Each higher education institution will provide its partnering classroom with T-shirts, and students will wear them to school every Friday. Students will also learn colleges' songs, follow athletic teams, and in some cases either visit the campus or conduct video conferencing.
Fourth-grade teacher Cinda Gilmore, a graduate of Wells College in Aurora, used her connections to partner with her alma mater this year. Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Hare is partnering with Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., and last year students toured Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa. Other partnerships include University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., and Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt.
By bringing college to the forefront of students' minds, Gorney believes, “It makes it a reality for them.”
Added school Library Media Specialist Anne Mlod, “And they will realize what they need to do to make it a reality.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
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cayuga watch wrote on Aug 8, 2009 11:20 PM:
It's true that education will not solve all our problems; it's foolish to think there are easy answers. And it’s difficult to stay in school when a slightly above minimum wage job beckons to us with its promise of money and personal advancement. Yet higher education is part of the way to regain American advantage. In fact, I hope these elementary kids aren’t the last generation free enough to put their hard work into action making smart choices. "
maryls wrote on Aug 8, 2009 9:15 PM:
As for the earlier comments from the user "ignorantpeople", a student at Syracuse University, I believe you have proven to us that SU does have at least one very ignorant person in the classroom. The goal of higher education is not to produce the kind of arrogance you are weilding, but rather the kind of confidence that the Genesee Faculty is instilling in its students. "
quest wrote on Aug 8, 2009 1:39 PM:
My opinion on drop out rates is blame the parents for not instilling a better work ethic into these kids.
These two opinions are a very sad view of our society as a whole. Wow that is like saying " Our family makes enough $ each month off the system, why get an education, when we can sit around and have vacation everyday!" "
childofthekorn1318 wrote on Aug 8, 2009 11:37 AM:
quest wrote on Aug 8, 2009 10:44 AM:
Trade schools, 2 yr. junior Colleges, and Universities are what ALL students should be striving for, especially at Genessee Elem. where many of the parents I suspect are a lot LIKE YOU and DON'T use higher learning vocabulary in the household on a
regular basis.
My parents instilled in me how to set goals and reach for the stars. I consider myself to be successful for achieving the goals that I have set for myself. If my parents set the bar low and spoke like you speak, then I'm sure I would have achieved less in my life.
LETS SET THE BAR HIGH AND TEACH THESE YOUNG KIDS TO REACH FOR THE STARS!! Then maybe we can change the cycle of poverty by placing a true value in schools and the learning process! What your missing is that EDUCATION ITSELF IS MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD! $$ COMES AND GOES BUT LEARNED KNOWLEDGE WILL STAY WITH YOU FOREVER! = HORACE MANN "
ignorantpeople wrote on Aug 8, 2009 3:10 AM: