New York Edge partners with Steven Van Zandt’s Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to provide NYC students with enrichment programming amid Coronavirus school closures

New York City public school students from New York Edge – the largest provider of afterschool programming in the City – will now have access to free afterschool programs from the safety of their homes during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) school closures, as the organization joins forces with the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to launch their program, TeachRock, across the five boroughs. The launch is part of New York Edge’s move to online afterschool programming in response to COVID-19. 

“We’re happy to partner with New York Edge to use the power of music to help keep students in New York City engaged, emotionally healthy, and learning.”

Little Stevie Van Zandt

The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation – founded by multi-platinum artist, producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Little Stevie Van Zandt – is dedicated to improving student outcomes by using popular music to create interdisciplinary, culturally responsive education materials. New York Edge’s students will have opportunities to engage in continued learning remotely through the organization’s TeachRock Distance Learning Packs, which feature music-driven activities and projects for K-12 students. The virtual initiative is part of New York Edge’s mission to provide innovative afterschool programming that is designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, and self-confidence.

“This is an unprecedented and uncomfortable time, and educators have provided structure, emotional support, and a reassuring sense of normalcy to our children as we’ve transitioned to a period of social distance. But kids don’t thrive in isolation,” said Little Stevie Van Zandt, founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. “Music can connect us, even when we can’t be together. TeachRock curriculum has always used music to foster connections between students and teachers, and we’re happy to partner with New York Edge to use the power of music to help keep students in New York City engaged, emotionally healthy, and learning.”

“Now more than ever, it is critically important for youth to have access to enriching programs that will motivate them to remain focused, continue learning, and lead healthy lifestyles during this extended period at home,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “We are proud to partner with the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation to launch TeachRock online. Together, we will ignite students’ intellectual curiosity and support their success as they explore the universal language of music.” 

The Rock and Roll Forever Foundation’s TeachRock.org website provides nearly 200 free standards-aligned lesson plans for K-12 students that use popular music to introduce key concepts in social studies, language arts, STEAM, math, general music, and art, as well as social emotional learning. Their Distance Learning Packs highlight project-based learning, collaboration, and communication, authentic assessment strategies such as art, podcasts or videos, and include clear, concise instructions that empower non-educator family members to help students succeed. 

For more than 25 years, New York Edge has addressed the needs and goals of under-resourced schools through customized, curriculum-based afterschool programming. Today, the nonprofit provides more than 40,000 students in grades K-12 with rigorous, innovative programs designed to give them the edge needed to succeed.

About New York Edge

New York Edge, formerly known as the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF), is a non-profit organization and the largest provider of afterschool programs in all five boroughs of New York City and the metropolitan region. With more than 40,000 students from over 300 programs in grades K-12, the organization provides under-resourced students with year-round programs to give them the edge needed to succeed. www.newyorkedge.org

About Rock and Roll Forever Foundation
Steven Van Zandt’s Rock and Roll Forever Foundation empowers teachers and engages students by using popular music to create interdisciplinary, culturally responsive education materials for all 21st-century classrooms. The nearly 200 standards-aligned lesson plans in the RRFF’s TeachRock curriculum foster learning through arts integration in areas including social studies, language arts, STEAM, general music, art, math, and more. From The Beatles to Beyoncé, from early elementary to AP History—TeachRock offers engaging and meaningful material for nearly every classroom, all at no cost to educators. TeachRock is used by more than 30,000 educators across all 50 states. Since 2017, Little Stevie and TeachRock staff have offered face-to-face professional development to nearly 10,000 teachers. 

Let’s hear it for the teams from 207Q, 267K, 295Q & 680Q who all participated in the “RENEGADE DANCE CHALLENGE”. Each school was challenged by their Program Manager Malorie to participate and submit a video in a week! Staff from the programs also jumped in to join the fun.

Congratulates to TEAM RED from 295Q the first Winners of our Challenge.

See all four performances on our Instagram 

New York Edge and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey host ceremony unveiling students’ artwork and step performance

New York, NY – February 20, 2020 – In honor of Black History Month, 70 middle school students from New York Edge – the largest provider of afterschool programming in the New York metropolitan region – presented an art exhibition and delivered a step performance during a special ceremony at LaGuardia Airport.

New York Edge students worked together to create and present a series of artwork inspired by African American culture, which will be on display in the Marine Terminal through the end of February. The program’s step teams also delivered a special performance that celebrated Black History Month and the organization’s ties to the Queens community.

“We are so proud to commemorate Black History Month with the Queens community through a unique exhibition created by our students,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “Programs like this enable our students to hone their talents, discover their passions and expand their horizons. We are grateful to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for partnering with us to provide a platform for local students to express themselves, and we encourage the public to visit this wonderful artwork.”

During the ceremony, New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick presented a piece of artwork from the exhibit to Interim General Manager of LaGuardia Airport Tony Vero.

“LaGuardia Airport’s Marine Air Terminal is a little slice of aviation history, and we are delighted to continue its legacy with the help of New York Edge,” said Tony Vero, Interim General Manager of LaGuardia Airport. “We are proud to honor the individuals and the organizations who continue to celebrate and keep African American history alive in our community.”

For more than 25 years, New York Edge has addressed the needs and goals of under-resourced schools through customized, curriculum-based afterschool programming. Today, the nonprofit provides more than 40,000 students in grades K-12 with rigorous, innovative programs designed to give them the edge needed to succeed.

Brooklyn students, including 200 kids from elementary schools, will compete in the three versus three basketball tournament at the Aviator Sports and Event Center.

The tournament is held by nonprofit New York Edge, a provider of after-school activities… [read more]

On Wednesday, January 22, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez met with New York Edge students to speak about the importance of the PO2 After School Program.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — USA Team Handball today announced its partnership with New York Edge, the metropolitan region’s largest provider of afterschool programs dedicated to providing programs that improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence, character and attitudes for success in life.

USA Team Handball will provide equipment, balls and training for coaches and teachers, as New York Edge will incorporate team handball into its afterschool and summer sports programs in which children can participate.

“We couldn’t be more excited to work with New York Edge to bring our sport to thousands of children and students in the city of New York,” said USA Team Handball CEO Barry Siff. “Handball is a sport that teaches a number of positive qualities and life skills to kids, and provides a bevy of opportunity if played well. I am looking forward to seeing more children playing handball and enjoying the friendships, experiences and memories gained as a result.”

For more than 25 years, New York Edge has addressed the needs and goals of under-resourced students through customized, curriculum-based afterschool programming. The nonprofit currently provides more than 40,000 students from over 100 sites in grades K-12 with rigorous, innovative programs designed to give them the edge needed to succeed.

“We are proud to partner with such an esteemed organization to introduce an exciting new program to our students,” said New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick. “It is our mission to empower the youth we serve to pursue healthy lifestyles, and we are confident this initiative will result in a greater interest in health and fitness.”

Within its sports and health and wellness programs, New York Edge organizes and runs clinics that empower its students to lead healthy, active lives. As an Olympic sport with low barrier to entry and equipment necessities, team handball will be integrated into these programs with ease while providing students and young athletes with a new opportunity and sport that they may not have been previously exposed to.

About New York Edge:

New York Edge, formerly known as the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF), is a non-profit organization and the largest provider of afterschool programs in all five boroughs of New York City and the metropolitan region. With more than 40,000 students from over 300 programs in grades K-12, the organization provides under-resourced students with year-round programs to give them the edge needed to succeed. For more information, please visit newyorkedge.org

About USA Team Handball:

USA Team Handball (USATH) is the U.S. National Governing Body for the Olympic discipline of Team Handball, and is responsible for the development of grassroots programs, preparation of national teams for international competition – including the Pan American and Olympic Games – as well as the day-to-day oversight of the sport of team handball in the United States. The mission of USATH is to develop, promote, educate and grow the sport of team handball at all levels domestically, and to enable U.S. athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence to win medals in international and Olympic competition. USATH is a member of the International Handball Federation, the North American and Caribbean Handball Confederation, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information, please visit usateamhandball.org

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New York Edge Board Members joined high school students from City As School for a fun and exciting evening of Speed Mentoring. During the event student spoke with each mentor for a ten minute session of questions and answers. We were so excited to hear the hopes and dreams of these eager young adults.

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