Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
Congratulations to Janelle, Jirelys, Sheyla, and Ariana from AF Bridgeport Academy Middle School. They saw an issue and decided to BE THE CHANGE—they founded Project Homeless. At their first event, they raised $300 to donate to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission to fight poverty. This is exactly what we want our scholars doing!!! Our scholars are leaders in their community, and it is incredibly inspiring to see.
Introducing Dr. (!!!!!!) Sadé Johnson from AF Bushwick Elementary who recently shared: "Announcing on the first day of school this year that I am now Dr. Johnson was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. The amount of love, applause, hugs, tears of joy, and notes I received from families, scholars, and my staff was immeasurable. As a Black woman in this network working with Black and Brown children, representation mattered in that moment. Our students needed to see a person who looked like them, achieving this degree." Read her POWERFUL story about pursuing her degree here: http://glassdoor.com/slink.htm?key=vQqMQ
Check out the Purple Machine in action! The AF Hartford Summit Middle Drumline (yes, we have an amazing drumline at AF!) kicked off their season last weekend, and their beats went on, despite the rain! And can we have a drumroll please —85% of drumline members are also on the honor roll. Come through, honor roll scholars!
How’s this Monday motivation?! "Amazing. Powerful. Brilliant. That’s me!" We couldn't have said it better! We love this art project from Achievement First Iluminar Mayoral Academy Elementary! We recommend you try saying this to yourself in the mirror every morning for even MORE #motivation.
Our scholars are proud of who they are and where they’re from, and that pride inspires us! Eighth graders Kaylee and Sofia BROUGHT IT when they performed for their classmates at AF Bridgeport Academy Middle’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
AF Crown Heights Elementary fourth graders competed against two elite middle schools in this year's first Brooklyn Debate League event and… THEY WON!!!! A huge congratulations to Christian (1st place) and Tina and Weegens (tied for 2nd place). You may have been the youngest (and shortest!) scholars there, but you totally crushed it.
Did you know that not one but TWO AF scholars are currently on BET? Yep, that’s right. AF Bushwick Middle’s Kavon and AF Aspire Elementary’s Nevaeh are starring in a new digital series called “Are You Kidding Me?” where super smart kiddos talk about what’s going on in the world (and they get real about immigrant family separation at the border, just as an example). The first episode is out now, and Kavon has the behind-the-scenes scoop for us on what it was like to be on BET here. We’ve got some future leaders (and potential TV stars?!) on our hands for sure.
"When I first came to the United States, I was afraid to dream big—afraid that as a Haitian immigrant, I wasn’t worth it. But, eventually, I became determined to prove people wrong." - Dab, AF Brooklyn High '18, SUNY Oswego '22 Read more about Dab's incredible journey on the AF Blog.
"I know a lot of people make it and forget about where they come from, but I feel like all of my success thus far is motivated by my past. Coordinating L.A.W. Camp this year has opened my eyes to all of the programs and resources my city could benefit from." - Ryana, AF Amistad High '16, Lafayette College '20. Read more about Ryana, her studies, and her summer legal internship on the AF blog!
Step 1: Refer an awesome STEM, ELA, or language teacher any time this month. Step 2: Root for that teacher to get hired for a math or science position at AF in July. Step 3: If Step 2 happens, you could be eligible to win $2,000! Submit your referrals today!
