While New York Edge quickly adapted to challenging circumstances, we simultaneously developed a longer-term plan that would address summer for the 40,000 students we serve. We developed a trauma-informed curriculum for this summer’s programs that can be delivered online, or if possible, in person with numerous measures to create safe learning spaces for students in accordance with public health and safety rules. [read more]
“Right now, this is catastrophic,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge, the city’s largest provider of after-school programs, who told its 1,700 employees this week that they will move to a two-day work week on June 29. [read more]
To reach their 100,000 students. Our music history curriculum (available at teachrock.org) has almost 200 lessons online, and we’ve registered 30,000 teachers. We’re already prepared for everybody homeschooling now! We exist to help teachers with tools and fun lessons that meet school standards. Read the full article here.
Summer camps and public beaches in New York City could close. The city’s public pools have already been shuttered for the summer. And despite receiving some backlash, New York City’s summer youth employment program will probably remain canceled.
The summer is shaping up to be a somber experience for the city’s youth as the COVID-19 crisis drags on. Some programs, such as summer camps, are nearly impossible to implement in a way that allows children to stay at least 6 feet apart from each other. And as the city and state face massive budget shortfalls, funding programs to keep kids engaged is not a top priority for elected officials. Read the full article here.
Following school closures in March, the organization has successfully moved its programming online, and is positioned to provide virtual enrichment if gathering in large groups is not permitted by summer. Read the full article here.
New York Edge Offers Alternatives to Traditional Summer Camp to Help Parents and Caregivers Return to Work
In a letter to New York City Council members, New York Edge – the City’s largest provider of afterschool and summer programming – is urging the Council to resist funding cuts to summer programs proposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The organization also provided alternatives to traditional summer camps that would ensure students have access to enriching programs that will prepare them for the next school year, while helping caregivers as they prepare to return to work.
We stand ready to serve our students and families this summer, and we need the continued support and funding of the City to make programs available this year in accordance with public health and safety rules.”
Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge
“After this extended period of virtual learning and social distancing, our city’s youth need and deserve enjoyable summer programming. And as we begin to reopen our economy, parents and caregivers will need safe, educational programs for their children,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge, in the letter. “We stand ready to serve our students and families this summer, and we need the continued support and funding of the City to make programs available this year in accordance with public health and safety rules.”
Following school closures in March, the organization successfully moved its afterschool academic, arts, health and wellness, and college readiness programs online, and is positioned to provide virtual summer enrichment that promotes collaboration and empowerment while reinforcing academic progress.
New York Edge has been formulating a trauma-informed approach to summer camp that can be delivered online, or – if it becomes possible – in person with additional measures to support social distancing. The letter outlines the organization’s plans if it is possible for the public to gather in July or August, proposing running summer camps at the New York City schools that provide grab-and-go meals. New York Edge would create camps of 50 children and divide them into groups of five with one adult to each group, and would adhere to physical distancing by providing each child with their own individual learning pack.
“We completely grasp the financial challenges our city is facing today, but our economy simply will not be able to reopen if parents and caregivers do not have the peace of mind knowing their children are being taken care of. With the closures of New York City public pools, beaches and playgrounds, for tens of thousands of working families across the city, afterschool and summer camp programs would be the only options they have for their children,” added Gazdick. “This funding will not only serve our youth and their parents, it will also preserve the infrastructure of important nonprofit organizations like ours, which will be needed more than ever this fall.”
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. newyorkedge.org
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.
MONDAY 3/16/2020 — NEW YORK EDGE PROGRAMS SUSPENDED
As of Monday, March 16, 2020, New York City schools will be closed and New York Edge programs are suspended. School staff will report back when schools reopen. All other employees will work remotely and be available by email. In the meantime, New York Edge will be sharing updates through emails and here on our website.
Staff should check our ADP portal for information and other resources. All other inquiries should be directed to info@newyorkedge.org.
The health and safety of New York Edge students, employees and the communities in which we operate continue to be our top priority as we carefully monitor updates surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
For more information on COVID-19, text COVID to 692-692 or visit www.cdc.gov
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.
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