At CUNY Prep, Outcomes Week is an opportunity for students and staff to collaborate closely on projects that showcase their talents and interests, and is an event that contributes in creating the close-knit atmosphere that CUNY Prep is known for. This year, students demonstrated their eye for “capturing the moment” in a photography gallery, created presentations that exhibited their interests, participated in a game of math trivia, performed on stage an array of talents, and even enacted a play!

These are some of the highlights of Outcomes Week 2012: 

A group of CUNY Prep College Transition Academy students are getting the chance to sample college life and explore some of what NYC has to offer as part of the Global Studies Workshop (GSW).

The ultimate goal of the weekly GSW workshops is to instill in our student’s a commitment to life-long learning and an increasing awareness of global issues. As a result of GSW, students often report a greater interest in the world around them and a greater sense of independence, thus more comfortable exploring the city.

So far this school year, the group has sat in on college history course lectures at Fordham University, participated in a college prep conference at Baruch College and explored Highline Park and got a taste for the eclectic Chelsea galleries.

“We hope that our students will see themselves as lifelong learners and global citizens, as they expand their vision of education outside of the classroom,” says coordinator Katie Wilson.  “We want them to be open to all of the learning opportunities that surround them right here in their own city, and even beyond.”

The workshops have also been the precursor for international learning, with former GSW students traveling to Berlin as part of a cross-cultural, hip hop exchange.

This month, GSW will host a hip hop group from a social work agency in Berlin, Germany right here at CUNY Prep.  Meanwhile, two GSW alumni, who are now students in the Digital Music program at Hostos Community College, will welcome the group for a recording workshop from which they will produce two, professional quality tracks.

Many of the 18-year old students also registered themselves and voted in their first presidential election on November 6.

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Students in CUNY Prep’s College Transition Academy got a chance to sample life on campus at Baruch College on .  The group got a special tour of the school’s facilities, with Baruch’s Director of College Now Tony Davis.

“College admissions are getting more and more competitive,” Davis told the group.  “Take advantage of all of the support and resources you have around you, work hard and put yourself in a position to succeed.”

“The first moment I walked in, it was a little intimidating, but really impressive,” says CTA student Angelica Chapparo.  “I was surprised how diverse the campus was and I loved all of the student activities going on in the lobby.  I could really see myself here.”

After they pass their classes in the Day School and are successful on the GED, CUNY Prep’s CTA is designed to help prepare students to enter college.  Trips to college campuses are an important part of that experience.

“We think it is essential for our students to get out and see college life in action so they can truly envision themselves as college students,” says Jamal Mantin, Assistant Director of College Support.

CUNY Prep students will have opportunities to visit additional college campuses next semester.

GSW had an amazing and powerful day at Fordham University

• Traveled onto the Fordham campus together – what a beautiful place!
• Met with Dr Mark Naison in the African History Project Seminar Room and learned about his work, his involvement in the Bronx Berlin Connection and heard the story about how he landed on the Dave ChappelleShow! Dr Naison kindly provided delicious pastries and pizza.
• We then met with MC Farbeon (Fabian Farbeon Saucedo) of the Hip Hop Re:Education project for introductions to his work and experiences as well more details about the Hip Hop Re:Ed program
• Then we headed down to the second floor to attend Dr N’s “History from Rock n Roll to Hip Hop” class where Farbeon shared his teaching, knowledge and talents with the Fordham students and CP was in the house!
• The last few hours of the day were spent back in the seminar room where GSW’s first official Writing Workshop took place.  Everyone was sort of timid at first, but after hearing work from other students, playing some warm up games and exploring beats and time signatures, the GSW students shared their skills and talents and learned some key techniques of making music.

It was a truly incredible day! GSW students revealed some serious skills: writers, rappers, poets, artists, beat-boxers, dancers, activists, leaders…..

GET READY: The CUNY Prep Album is in the works……release date TBD!

“We don’t even need to advertise it any more,” says humanities teacher Renee Shaw-Payne.  “The neighborhood really looks forward to this event each year.”

The carnival is completely designed and orchestrated by CUNY Prep students, with the help of faculty and staff.  They offer everything from face-painting and games for the younger children, to a highly theatrical haunted house for the older ones – complete with fog machines, sound effects and some very realistic looking ghouls.

“This event allows the surrounding community to interact with our students and helps debunk the stereotype of out of school youth.,” says Frantz Barbier, math teacher and primary carnival coordinator.   ”It gives students a chance to say ‘yes, I am out of school, but the impression you have of me is not true,’” says Barbier.

Students also earn community service credits for their participation in the carnival.  In addition to all of the traditional activities rooms, this year’s event also featured a costume contest and fashion show and a dance performance that students rehearsed several weeks in advance.

“It was such a fun experience,” says math teacher Cynthia Bell, who celebrated her first Halloween at CUNY Prep this year.  ” But it is also a great opportunity for students and staff alike to build a connection and sense of responsibility towards the community.”