SPA in the News and Special Events

Greater Newark Conservancy
Gardening may not be part of our high schools’ curriculums, but “giving back” is stressed at all of the S/PA schools. This venue presents a new opportunity for S/PA students and their partners to do just that. Visited by elementary school children thoughout the spring, summer and fall, the Newark Conservancy’s Prudential Outdoor Learning Center gets a sprucing up when our students and their sponsors gather to weed, plant, compost and generally clean-up the gardens for the enjoyment of the community.

Graduations
43 SPA students graduated from their perspective schools in June, with 95% of those graduates continuing their education at college next year. Colleges they will be attending represent six different states, extending from Florida to New Hampshire! Together they have been awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. One student graduated Valedictorian from her school and will be heading to Dartmouth College on a scholarship in the fall!

Student Breakfasts
During September and October, sponsors visit their students at their schools for a light “breakfast” and an informal visit. Heading into a new school year, students and partners who have never met before (generally freshman), have a chance to get to know each other a bit and share contact information. Those who are already acquainted catch up on their lives and their aspirations for the upcoming year.

Food Bank
In November, just before Thanksgiving, is an appropriate time for SPA students, administrators, partners and family members to come together to give back to the community by working side-by-side at the Community Food Bank of NJ. They spend the morning sorting, packing and organizing donated food for the hungry.

S/PA Partners with Provident Bank
Learn how students from North Jersey inner-city schools can have the opportunity to attend local private high schools, thanks to the Student/Partner Alliance and one of its generous corporate foundation sponsors, Provident Bank. The Provident Bank Foundation continues to support opportunity and alternatives for economically underprivileged youth by granting $20,000 to the Student/Partner Alliance’s 2007 scholarship fund. Since 2003, the Foundation has contributed more than $50,000 to the non-profit organization. View press release from that appeared in the Independent Press on November 7, 2007

Financial Literacy Program
Hudson City Savings Bank, a major supporter of Student/Partner Alliance, held financial literacy training classes for graduating seniors at St. Mary's High School and St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City, and at St. Vincent's Academy in Newark. This training helps to instill financial responsibility in students in time for their entry into the workforce and higher education. Topics included a review of the various types of bank accounts, checking, savings, certificates of deposit, etc., with a focus on a comprehensive understanding of how to use credit responsibly. Dominique Chaffin, Assistant Secretary at Hudson City, ran the training classes and the students enjoyed them. View pictures

Immaculate Conception Benefits from a Book Drive
One-time SPA supporter, The Junior League of Montclair-Newark, held a book drive to benefit the library and the classroom textbook supply at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair. It was a great success! Over 350 literature-quality books, 200 magazines and a full set of National Geographic Magazine on CD Roms were collected! Also, the Junior League purchased 30 copies each of three titles that the school requested for their Literature classes. These were purchased by the League from Watchung Booksellers in Montclair at a generous discount. View Pictures

 

SPA in the News
View previous press clippings from the Independent Press, GlenRock Gassette, The Star Ledger, The Millburn Item, The Item of Millburn and Short Hills, and Millburn•Short Hills Magazine.