November 2019 Newsletter

NYC communities are supporting higher education for public school students. Here’s how, through the Save for College Universal Scholarship and Savings Program

Greetings,

I am proud to share updates from the beginning of the Save for College Community’s third school year in School District 30, Queens. At the core of the Save for College Program’s approach is the understanding that this platform is just one piece of a neighborhood ecosystem that impacts a child’s educational and economic success. Put simply, it takes a neighborhood to build a child’s future. The Save for College Program is meant to support, reinforce, and become integrated within the broader ecosystem in each neighborhood. 

From schools leading events to ensure every parent activates and sees their child’s NYC Scholarship Account, to Make the Road NY’s “Parents in Action” committee organizing other parents to spread the word about this opportunity in their community, to a group of parents from throughout NYC contributing to the accounts of the next generation of students at P.S. 92 in Corona–there is a growing, powerful network at every level supporting children’s success through this platform. If you are already involved as a partner, thank you. If you would like to get involved, please reach out.  

Sincerely,

Debra-Ellen

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Monthly Feature

Principals, Parent Coordinators and Teachers from throughout School District 30 participated in the second annual Save for College Program Schools Conference. At the Conference, participants reflected upon the first two years of the Program, and shared ideas for the year ahead. See more here…

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Words From A Parent

“What parent doesn’t want what’s best for their child? I know that to help make my child’s dreams come true, I need to instill whenever I can that this is possible through education and saving. Thanks to the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, my child is one of the many students in first and second grade at P.S. 92 with an NYC Scholarship Account.” – Rosa Mar, P.S. 92 PTA President and parent of a second-grader in the Save for College Program.

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Happenings Across the Community

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Parent-to-Parent Community Scholarship at P.S. 92

Families and Students at P.S. 92 came together with NYC Kids RISE, District 30 and P.S. 92 school leadership, and City Council Member Francisco Moya to celebrate the $15,000 Parent-to-Parent Community Scholarship deposited across the NYC Scholarship Accounts of the 248 P.S. 92 first- and second-graders in the Save for College Program. Every student received another $60 in their account. Click here for more details.

Save for College Program Family and Community Dinner

Superpower was the theme of the recent monthly Save for College Family & Community dinner. From students drawing their educational super power on their capes to families and members of the community sharing each other’s super power, participants strengthen their connection with the Save for College Community.

Program Partner Activities

Save for College Program partners around the community hosted college-related activities and provided back-to-school resources to families throughout Queens. Make the Road NY, Urban Upbound, Woodside on the Move, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, the Floating Hospital, and Univision were among the organizations ensuring District 30 families knew about the Save for College Program and how to take advantage of the opportunity. Pictured here are Make the Road NY’s parent leaders sharing program information during their annual back-to-school event.

Back-to-School Activities

Since the start of the school year, the 39 participating schools have introduced new eligible families to the Save the College Program during their back-to-school activities. Principals and Parent Coordinators shared with families that every new kindergarten, first-grader, and second-grader will receive an NYC Scholarship Account with $100 in January, unless they decide to opt out. Pictured here are members of NYC Kids RISE, District 30 Superintendent Dr. Philip Composto; City Council Member Danny Dromm; DOE Deputy Chancellor of School Planning and Development Karin Goldmark; President and CEO of the NYC School Construction Authority Lorraine Grillo; P.S. 398 Principal Erica Thus at new District 30 school P.S 398 in Jackson Heights.

Citi Community Development Brainstorm

Funder and partner Citi Community Development convened leadership from community-based organizations across District 30 for a strategy session to brainstorm opportunities for using the Save for College Program as a tool to support their organizations’ missions.

Recognizing the First Concert for College

NYC Kids RISE presented plaques to Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor and the Center of Hope International (left) and Reverend Corwin Mason and the Community Church of Astoria (right) for their congregations’ leadership with the 2019 Concert for College Community Scholarship, which raised $20,000 for students’ NYC Scholarship Accounts.

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Small steps to big college dreams

Find out how: 

[email protected]

833-KID-RISE (833-543-7473)

The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program provides families, schools, and communities with a way to work together to save for their children’s futures. It’s a scholarship and savings program designed to make college and career training more accessible and achievable for all NYC public school students—regardless of their family’s income or immigration status. The Save for College Program is a tool that families, along with their schools and neighbors, can use and customize in the way that best fits into their lives and best supports their dreams for their children. NYC Kids RISE, a nonprofit organization, manages the Save for College Program in partnership with the NYC Department of Education and the City of New York.

Founding support provided by the Gray Foundation.