CEI-PEA is delighted to announce that P.S. 205Q, the Alexander Graham Bell School, as been has been selected by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as a National Blue Ribbon School. Principal Karen Piazza Scott will be honored, along with the other selected Blue Ribbon schools, on November 10-11, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
Congratulations to Ms. Piazza Scott and the entire PS 205Q family!
Approximately 600 scholarships are available for the 2015-16 academic year for American high school students to study language through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program seeks to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of critical languages by providing formal and informal language learning through a study abroad experience, which includes language classes and living in a local community abroad, often with a host family.
Scholarships to participate in summer or academic year programs are available for the study of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish. The merit-based scholarships cover domestic and international travel, tuition and related academic expenses, daily language classes, supporting cultural activities, room and board, and secondary health benefits for travel abroad.
Launched in 2006, the goal of NSLI-Y is to increase the number of young Americans with the language skills necessary to advance international dialogue and increase understanding between cultures. Alumni of NSLI-Y can become leaders in a variety of international fields in the private, academic or government sector. NSLI-Y is administered by American Councils for International Education, in cooperation with AFS-USA, iEARN, American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES), AMIDEAST, Legacy International, Russian American Foundation (RAF), and University of Delaware.
To be eligible for 2015-16 program scholarships, applicants must be:
For more information about the NSLI-Y program or to apply, visit www.nsliforyouth.org.
The application deadline is October 30, 2014.
CEI-PEA’s annual gala will be held on Tuesday November 11, 2014 at The Pierre. More information to follow.
Congratulations to Jeffrey Litt! The New York Public Library recognized Mr. Litt for his dedication to New York City schools with the 2014 Brooke Russell Astor Award at their Spring Dinner for Education.
Jeffrey Litt, Superintendent of Schools, Icahn Charter Schools, has dedicated over four decades to service in the education of inner-city children in the South Bronx. He has worn many hats, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, special assistant to the NYC Chancellor, deputy superintendent, citywide mentor to principals, chairman of his community school board, and trustee of the NY Charter School Center. He has taught school administration on the graduate level at Fordham University and has trained principals and teachers on Core Knowledge throughout the country. Jeffrey was selected as the founding principal of Icahn Charter Schools and now serves as superintendent of the Icahn Charter School network, consisting of seven highly recognized schools.
Education was an area of great importance to Mrs. Astor and Brooke Russell Astor Award honors the truly unsung heroes and heroines who are tireless in their dedication to improving the lives of New Yorkers and who have contributed substantially to the city’s enrichment.
Congratulation, Jeff! CEI-PEA is honored to have you as part of our community!
On Tuesday May 27, CEI celebrated over 450 eighth grade students graduating from the Project BOOST program. Project BOOST’s, Building Options and Opportunities for Students, main goal is to help participating students gain admission to quality high schools upon completion of the project. All our 2014 graduates were accepted to high school, with a majority of them receiving their first or second choice. Over 70 of the graduating eighth graders were accepted to specialized high schools, nine students will be attending parochial schools in the fall and five will be attending private high schools.
In memory of CEI’s late Senior Fellow, Stephen Kahn, seven students were given the 2014 Stephen Kahn Outstanding Citizen and Scholar Awards. Begum F. from IS 145 in Queens quoted Albert Einstein stating that Project BOOST has “given [her] the opportunity and the chance to learn, live, and hope.” Bryan N. from MS 53 in Queens spoke about how BOOST helped him with behavioral problems and thanked his Project BOOST coordinators for seeing potential in him. Claire B. from PS 89 in the Bronx told the audience how Project BOOST helped her adjust to living in New York City after moving to the city from the Philippines in her award speech. Burgos said “Each play I see, each trip I take, every museum I visit opens my eyes to new people, new cultures and new ways of thinking.”
In his acceptance speech, Shabiha N. from IS 238 in Queens spoke about how Project BOOST introduced him to community service and said “I plan on continuing to help my community when I enter high school.” Eunice N. from MS 180 in the Bronx stated “Project BOOST transformed a shy, unassuming young girl into a tireless dynamo of optimism and change.” Last but not least, Shivinder M. from JHS 8 in Queens thanked everyone in Project BOOST, specifically naming Carl Vinci, the Director of Student Services and Project BOOST, for all they do to bring positive change to their communities.
The graduating Project BOOST students were surrounded by their peers, parents, teachers, administrators and CEI staff members as they were awarded certificates of completion. The evening included entrainment by BOOST groups, ranging from songs from The Pirate of Penzance, martial arts demonstration, a fan dance, and a step team.
CEI honored their recently retired Senior Fellow, Bill Colavito, as the keynote speaker and thanked him for all his hard work and dedication to the BOOST program.
Congratulations to all our graduates!
