Liberty Partnerships Program

Based on records received from the schools, teacher/guidance counselor input, social emotional assessments and college & career readiness assessments administered by LPP, each student will have an individual learning plan prepared. The plans will identify what academic, social or life-after-HS preparation skills are needed for each student. The LPP assessments will be administered annually to track a students’ progress, and the Middle School students will also receive a post-test at the end of each year.

During the after-school program, students are encouraged to continue seeking out tutoring help from their teachers, and existing tutoring programs if their school district is offering them. LPP will offer general homework help, assistance preparing for Regents and ACT exams, and tutoring as needed in specific subjects.

In January, LPP will be starting the “Be Greater than Average” math review project. Evidence has shown that students who successfully completed Algebra and Geometry during their freshman and sophomore years have difficulty maintaining their skills through their HS senior year, when they may take college placement exams. Many students have to take Developmental Math courses in college, or if they place into college level Algebra, very often fail and have to repeat classes. This depletes available Financial Aid, and often delays graduation for college students. The students will receive weekly low pressure Algebra and Geometry reviews led by a SUNY Sullivan professor, which will keep their math skills fresh, leaving students prepared for college math courses.

Skills needed to be competitive and successful in the workplace and in college courses will be emphasized in all LPP activities.

During the course of the year all students will receive mentoring in a variety of subjects related to college & career preparedness: workshops on the transition from HS to college, general job skills preparedness, interviewing skills, leadership skills, service learning, creating effective resumes, job shadowing opportunities, college site visits, field trips, plus college Admissions & Financial Aid (FAFSA) workshops designed to help students and parents/guardians complete their applications.

Other mentoring topics that will help prepare students for MS and HS challenges, as well as life after HS will include critical thinking and perseverance workshops, a series of activities related to interpersonal communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.

The students will receive regular visits from a variety of professionals and professors that will introduce various career paths and college majors.  Speakers will also be involving students in creative activities related to the topics they are presenting.

Students will visit the Hurleyville THINC Technology Hub And Incubator after school, where they can turn creative ideas into reality. This year’s THINC projects will include the following:

• Art and the Laser Cutter
  Create laser cut designs on wood, paper or cardboard using simple digital images, digital sketches, photographs, mathematical patterns or original artwork. Previous experience in art is not required!
• Digital Storytelling / Animation
  Create stop motion animation or pixilation using a cell phone. Participants will use PhotoShop and their own photographs for this activity. Cell phones not required; cameras will be available.
• Design and Print in 3D
  Design your own cell phone case or other useful object using the Lulzbot 3D printer. Tech skills or previous experience not required!

LPP will run a four-week summer program on the SUNY Sullivan Campus.  Students can choose to participate for one week or all four weeks.  Busing will be provided from specified school district locations.  Planned activities include a Computer Science Gaming camp, campus job shadowing, SAT prep, career exploration, plus sports recreation and arts activities. Students will be offered scholarships to attend college level courses with extra tutoring support if the student chooses to commit to all four weeks.

LPP will be making special efforts to increase parent and guardian involvement in their student’s education.  They will be encouraged to attend field trips, special leadership trips, meet with LPP staff during parent-teacher nights, and to meet one-on-one with our mentors at least once per year for an overall review of the student’s needs and progress.  Family involvement increases every student’s chances of success.

LPP seeks to assure that students receive assistance with anything that may be interfering with their ability to thrive.  Any student who finds him or herself in a social or emotional crisis or trauma will have access to Catholic Charities personal counseling, and seamless referral to a variety of Sullivan County service organizations through our partner Sullivan Agencies Leading Together (SALT).