Bridge

theBreakthroughAll the latest breakthroughs

from Breakthrough Manchester!

Fall 2009

I Want To GoTo College

From the halls of The Derryfield School to the steps of Harvard University’s Widener Library,

each Breakthrough student strives for one goal: College.

Our MissionBreakthrough Manchester is a year-round, tuition-free academic program whose mission is to help promising middle school students, particularly those with limited opportunities, build skills and confidence to enter and succeed in college preparatory high school programs while inspiring talented high school and college students to pursue careers in education.

Breakthrough Manchester is a proud member of the Breakthrough Collaborative, a network of sites that boldly envisions a day when all children will have access to excellent educational opportunities. Originally founded in 1978, Breakthrough sites in 27 cities across America touch the lives of thousands of youth through the “students teaching students” model.

The Derryfield School has been Breakthrough Manchester’s most important partner and home since the program’s inception in 1991.

Breakthrough’s StaffKate Erskine, DirectorTrevor Munhall, Asst. DirectorBernadette Robinson, Student & Family Services CoordinatorTina Govatos White, High School Coordinator & Admin. Asst.Laura Noyes Zahn, Development

Associate

Participant Keys = BTM student, high school

graduation yearsy = school year teacher, years

t = summer teacher, yearsmt = mentor teacher, years

2 Fall 2009

Academic readiness is unquestionably the most important factor in preparing students for college entrance, but there is little that compares to taking

a child to a college campus and immersing him or her in the culture of higher education. College campuses are intoxi-cating to Breakthrough students; they hear most about college as an abstract, untouchable, far-off place. When they visit a campus, they begin to imagine themselves as college students, sitting in lecture halls, living in dorms, and eating in dining halls.

A tradition each summer is the sixth grade visit to Harvard University, where students complete a scavenger hunt through Harvard Yard, eat lunch on the green, and visit Widener Library. In seventh grade, students choose which college campus they want to visit in small groups on their Boston field trip: Emerson, Northeastern, Boston Uni-

versity, MIT, and others. Eighth graders take a college campus trip during the year and at STAR Academy. This summer, a delegation of ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders spent

a day touring the University of New Hampshire where they met with Admissions representatives and practiced college interviews.

Maddy Staub [s ‘07, sy ‘03-07, t ‘04-05, ‘07-08] reminisces, “On my sixth grade trip to Harvard with Jeremy Lajoie [s ‘00, t ‘00-01], I remember being struck by the beauty of the campus and the friendliness of students we met there. I thought, ‘I could do this.’ I chose to attend Georgetown University largely because it reminded me of those first impressions of a college campus.”

College can be a daunting concept, even for those students who are academically well-prepared. Visiting campuses can help demystify higher education and allows young people to see themselves as college students.

Imagining CollegeThe Importance of College Campus Visits

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 3www.breakthroughmanchester.org

From top: Sanela Aganbegovic [s ‘15], Phuc Nguyen [s ‘15], and Dylan Jubrey [s ‘15] plan their path on the Boston Freedom Trail. Benson Yu [s ‘15] and Damian Moore [s ‘16] solve a chemical equation on the board. Edib Alispahic [s ‘16] shows off a model bridge he built called “Small and Powerful.” Helen Dellas [s ‘16] plays checkers with a resident of the VA Nursing Home at Workathon.

Walker Fund Supports Three Years of Summer Curriculum Improvements

2007

2008

2009

For the third year, the Walker Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has provided generous support for the growth of Breakthrough’s

curriculum, teacher support, and student instruction.

Karolyn Wurster [mt ‘07], a former Breakthrough Sacramento teacher and current Rundlett Middle School teacher, wrote a math curriculum that stream-lines the progression students make as they develop their math skills in sixth and seventh grade. The curriculum is also the foundation for training Break-through teacher interns on math teaching strategies.

Funds were directed toward the training and compen-sation of the five outstanding professional educators who serve as Mentor Teachers to Breakthrough’s sum-mer teacher interns.

Jennifer Carter [t ‘02-03, mt ‘08-09], a Teach For America alum and current middle school teacher, spent this spring reworking the English curriculum to better equip teachers with materials and lesson plans. Additionally, she integrated the nationally recognized writing program, Step Up To Writing, to better support writing instruction in the classroom.

The continued support of the Walker Fund has allowed Breakthrough to carefully examine the efficacy of the sum-mer curriculum and make valuable improvements to the classroom experiences of students and teachers.

Beyond the STARThis summer, Danny McMillan [s ‘14] participated in Breakthrough’s four-week STAR Academy session for eighth and ninth graders and then headed off to camp at Windsor Mountain International for three weeks. He explains, “The leadership skills I gained from teaching classes to younger Breakthrough students helped me engage as a group leader at Windsor Mountain. STAR Academy helped me see myself as a leader and not some-one who stays on the sidelines.” It was a full summer for Danny; in addition to reading Animal Farm, writing numerous essays, and serving as a teaching apprentice at Breakthrough, he also learned how to sail and kayak and received his lifeguard certification at Windsor Mountain.

summer4 Fall 2009

Rooa Abdelrahim [s ‘11] - West High SchoolSamantha Allard [s ‘07] - Univ. of New HampshireSeth Bishop - George Washington UniversityLauren Bradley [s ‘09] - Knox CollegeMelissa Cail [s ‘09] - Yale UniversityMaria Cervantes [s ‘12] - Memorial High SchoolFarshad Chowdhury - Dartmouth College

Jocelyn Coo - Northeastern UniversityFedeline Desire [s ‘09] - Mount Ida CollegeKerlyne Desire [s ‘08] - Gettysburg CollegeBinh Doan [s ‘08] - Yale UniversityMolly Eckel - Wellesley CollegeJon Ericksen [s ‘12] - West High SchoolWarren Garris - Univ. of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Summer Teaching Interns

What has 18,000 pages and is read all over? The 90 books sixth and seventh

graders chose to read independently this summer. For the second year, Breakthrough students added a long-term, independent book report to their list of summer assignments. Students chose a mix of classics and contem-porary novels from The Derryfield School library including Fahrenheit 451, The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Twilight, Stargirl, Lord of the Rings, and The Last Olympian.

The culminating assignments were creative projects that highlighted themes, characters, or plot elements. The projects, displayed at Celebration, included board games, character “interviews,” artfully illustrated scenes, and song mixes that revealed character traits.

Numerous studies show that summer reading is a significant predictor of academic readiness and that access to books can be a challenge for students from low-income families.

Student & Teacher Voices“I have found a true love for teaching that I can only hope will stay with me over the rest of my life. The experience has legitimized the profession in my eyes and has made me reconsider the path I want to take after graduation.”

– Tyler, Rhodes College

“I never made so many friends in so little time.”

– Breyanna, Parkside Middle School

“Encouraging. That word is used a lot. Everybody encourages me to try things and not be scared. And it works.”

– Kiana, Southside Middle School

“Joining the Breakthrough community was the best thing I’ve done for myself in the past few years. Breakthrough academically challenged me so that I can reach college.”

– Elise, McLaughlin Middle School

“I gave serious thought to the fact that so many Breakthrough students will be the first in their families to attend college. I feel blessed to be a part of something that is positively influencing so many people across the nation.”

– Sam, University of New Hampshire

Tackling Summer Reading

summerInspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 5

Autumn Gaska [s ‘08] - Rochester Institute of Tech.Brendan Gillett - Phillips Exeter AcademyKatherine Grisanzio - The Derryfield SchoolApril Han [s ‘06] - Univ. of New HampshireVincent Ho - Univ. of California-BerkeleyHa Hoang [s ‘08] - Univ. of New HampshireSam Leger - Univ. of New HampshireNicole Lowell - Univ. of New HampshireJose Maldonado [s ‘03] - Trinity CollegeKadina Mazic [s ‘10] - The Derryfield SchoolAnnie Mitchell - Bowdoin CollegeChong Ni [s ‘08] - Duke UniversityJesse Palmer - Stanford UniversityNicole Pius [s ‘12] - Memorial High SchoolAlysha Phaneuf [s ‘09] - The Derryfield SchoolSammi Phillips - Univ. of Cambridge

Maeghan Provencher [s ‘10] - The Derryfield SchoolEmily Stekl [s ‘07] - Hamilton CollegeTyler Turner - Rhodes CollegeDerek Walker - Bard College at Simons RockDustin Zubke - Harvey Mudd College

Mentor TeachersJennifer Carter - Manny Martinez Middle SchoolLinda Mandra - Merrimack High SchoolBrian McNabb - Belmont High SchoolShannon Oliveira - Wilson Elementary School

A Summer Summary99 Total number of students 46 Sixth Graders 40 Seventh Graders 13 Eighth & Ninth Graders

54% identify as a racial minority underrepresented in higher education

83% will be the first generation in their family to earn a 4-year college degree

60% qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program based on family income

35 Total number of teacher interns 8 English teachers 8 Math teachers 7 Science teachers 7 Social Studies teachers 3 STAR Academy teachers 2 Program Assistants

98 Hours of teacher training196 Hours of teacher practicum50 Hours of teacher evaluation

4 Total number of Mentor Teachers

Woodcock-Johnson Assessment Results(Measures academic fluency; shows that Breakthrough reverses “summer slide.”)

63% of students made gains in all three areas (reading, math, writing) 92% of students made gains in at least two areas (reading, math, writing)

www.breakthroughmanchester.org

Good teachers can be hard to come by. But year after year, Breakthrough contin-

ues to draw the most talented high school and college students into the program to learn the art of teaching and to be compelling role mod-els for middle schoolers. The Breakthrough formula for finding teachers is deceptively simple: great high school and college students who work hard, take positive risks, and love learning are the best mentors for cultivating these same qualities in middle school students. Each Breakthrough Manchester teacher intern corps has a number of important elements:

Roughly 35% of teachers began their own •Breakthrough journey in fifth grade as students.

50% are returning teachers; 50% are new •teachers. Doing anything a second time almost always produces better results, and this is certainly true among Breakthrough teachers.

A mixture of high school and college •students adds diverse perspectives on teaching.

Breakthrough teachers represent experiences and interests as diverse as our student body, and like our students, they all come to Break-through because they believe in the transfor-mative power of education.

The Right Role ModelsSelecting Summer Teaching Interns

Breakthrough ContributorsFiscal Year July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

Marco Gonzalez John and Cathy GrimaldiKate Hanna, Hale and Hanna Melnick Jim and Tammy OgorchockDaniel C. and Lucy S. PotterMichael and Janice RomanowskyJon and Kathy RossMatthew Stover and Elizabeth RichterRandy ReisJoel and Felicia Vargas Richard and Frances Winneg

Breakthrough Advocate$250 – $499Michael and Candid ArcidySusan and Martin BaroffThomas and Patricia BarstowJohn and Carrie BoutonStephen CamannDanielle M. ChandonnetCynthia J. DobbinChris and Theresa DolloffDavid and Diane DonahueKate Erskine Erin and Jeffrey FogelMark and Laurie HolbrookJampart Charitable TrustMark Harrold Joseph and Marianne KhayatJim and Laurie LampPaul LeBlanc and Patricia FindlenPaul and Lauren LeydenBob and Patty LongoDavid and Melanie LudwigRoss and Kenna McLeodChris and Mary MorganDan and Lisa MuskatJim and Tammy PellerinBob and Sophie RohrerDennis and Maureen RyanCraig and Cary SellersDavid G. StahlLaura Noyes Zahn In Honor of Pauline

Elkin

Breakthrough Friend$1 – $249Debra J. AllenBruce and Becky BerkJohn and Effie BlecatsisBruce and Connie BlightRay and Lori BoeligEmma B. BoutonEdward and Muriel BroadLaura and Richard Burbine

Leah Burke Steven M. Burke, Jr. Sarah ChangEric ChangConstance M. Chapin In Honor of

Kathryn RobinsonMark Chapman and Maude SalingerZachary F.S. ChapmanSara Dewey Dennis and Wendy DucharmeGerald and Rochelle DuretteKathy and Dick ErskineCrystal Finefrock In Honor of Kevin

Finefrock Craig and Jeanine FinefrockKevin Finefrock Yetta FinkDavid Flagg Doug* and Sue FlaggRobert and Barbara FoxElenore FreedmanBennett FreemanRoger and Kathryn FriedenLisa J. LongRobin Galeaz Mr. and Mrs. David P. GoodwinGary and Gail GordonGrayson and Jon GovatosNatalie and James Gray In Memory of

Donald Ranney Susan GrodmanDavid and Barbara HaightElliott Berry and Campbell HarveyJim and Elise HoodBeatty and Susan HunterMarcus and Pat HurlbutDorothy JolinPeter KeeleyElena Kennedy Mayar Kout and Nybol AjakJoannie KrohnThe LaFlamme-Turner FamilyMaria Holland LawMichael Lehman and Jan McClureAnn R. LoefflerTricia and John E. LucasRobert and Holly McKinneyJolene McWhirterAnne D. MilneDrew Mokas Carol Morin and Linda Riedle Scott, Pamela and Skyler Mosenthal Terri MoyerTrevor Munhall Paul and Joan Newcomb

6 Fall 2009

Community Leader$20,000 and aboveCogswell Benevolent TrustThe Donna Anne Poulack Foundation

Program Leader$10,000 – $19,999Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean

FoundationBreakthrough CollaborativeMadelaine G. Von Weber Trust

Program Partner$5,000 – $9,999Bank of America Charitable FoundationCitizens Bank FoundationEarl “Bud” Smith Scholarship Fund of the

Kiwanis Club of Manchester

Student Sponsor$1,500 – $4,999Anonymous (3)Anonymous In Memory of Martin I. ElkinJohn and Karen AllardRolando Bonachea and Nancy Efferson-

BonacheaBreakthrough Manchester WorkathonSteve and Katie BurkeMary Halpin Carter and Christopher H.

M. CarterMichael and Chris CikaczBill and Kathy GillettLouis Fink and Pamela GrichHeritage United WayDonna K. LenckiRobert Levine and Rebecca KadishDavid and Rosamond LockwoodGreg and Jennifer MelkonianKyle and Glenda NagelTD Banknorth Charitable Foundation

Leadership Giving$500 – $1,499AnonymousJohn and Isabelle BryanBob and Chris Chin

Tru Ngo and Thanh HuynhBrent and Wendy PowellKevin ProvencherRay ProvencherDan and Pat RichardsonJohn and Deborah RicheyKate Richey Elizabeth Richey Bernadette Robinson Benjamin Russell Erik Fey and Kathleen Rutty-FeyMichael and Kathleen RyanDick and Annie SamuelsE. Charles and Wendy SanbornPeter and Linda SatkwichJoel Schwelling and Joan IzenAnne and Douglas ShattuckChris Slusher and Barinder AhluwaliaRobert Spiegelman and Truda BloomBill and Jean TallmanJoni Taube and Eliot SirkinCharles and Barbara TrudeauJeffrey and Alexis WallaceAlex and Tina White Brenda Wright Kimon and Anne Zachos

Joel Vargas Achievement Fund EndowmentJennifer Carter Doug and Sue FlaggLois G. LoofbourrowJane and Brian McCoyKristin Migliori Terri MoyerTru Ngo and Thanh HuynhHerbert and Joyanne RobinsonDennis and Maureen RyanE. Charles and Wendy SanbornJosh Schaffer

Lynn D. Sorensen The Townsend Family

Elkin Teaching Fellowship EndowmentPauline G. Elkin In Memory of Martin

I. ElkinStephen ElkinCraig and Jeanine FinefrockKenneth and Nicole GrinnellTerri MoyerDennis and Maureen RyanLynn D. Sorensen

Breakthrough General EndowmentJayme’s Fund for Social Justice of the

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Manchester Region

Renee MillerTerri MoyerBenjamin Russell Erik Fey and Kathleen Rutty-Fey

Matching Gift CompaniesMicrosoft Giving CampaignRiverStone Resources LLC

In-Kind GivingAmato’sBruce and Becky Berk Mark BlaisdellSteve and Katie BurkeMelissa Cail Citizens BankColby Sawyer CollegeCurrier Museum of ArtThe Derryfield SchoolJudy DowDunkin’ Donuts

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 7

denotes current or former Breakthrough student, teacher, or staff member denotes a Homestay Family for Breakthrough summer teachers *deceasedPlease notify us of errors or omissions at 603/641-9426 or kerskine@derryfield.org

www.breakthroughmanchester.org

Independent Sector places the value per

hour of volunteer service at $20.25.

With nearly 100 people volunteering

for Breakthrough annually, this donation

of time is roughly equal to $287,000.

Elan Publishing Company, Inc.Louis Fink and Pamela GrichFirst Resort Marketing, LLCBill and Kathy Gillett Elliott Berry and Campbell Harvey Taewon and Jiyoung JinCynthia M. Krohn Maura Maguire Jose and Lourdes Maldonado Manchester School DistrictTom and Diane MansonAnne D. Milne Walter and Kristen Milne Beth and Deno MokasNew Hampshire Higher Education

Assistance FoundationAl and Martha NorthcuttPuritan Backroom RestaurantHeather and Craig RileyMichael and Kathleen RyanAlana Ryder Craig and Cary SellersSouthern New Hampshire

University Sunsweet GrowersThe Townsend FamilyUniversity of New Hampshire University of New

Hampshire at ManchesterClaire Wilkens

Bishop Leo E. O’Neil Scholars (Sponsored by the Bishop’s Summer Reception Fund): Iban Garcia and Hieu Le

Bud Smith Scholars (Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Manchester): Jennifer Jacques, Anel Jaquez, Anthony Cummings, and Noah Allain

Jayme’s Scholars (Sponsored by Jayme’s Fund for Social Justice of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation — Manchester Region): Jonathan Michelizza and Irean Ali

Community Sponsored Scholarships

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