Hello Scholar Family,
Below is an excerpt from a history essay written by Jamiah, a 10th grader in BSC II. She was one of few students to receive a 90 or above (out of 100) on the essay. take care and soak up the knowledge!
On the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizens:
"This [The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizens] leaves over 21 million "passive" citizens without the right of political participation; basically the right not to vote. The declaration of rights of man and citizens is supposed to create
equality. There is no such thing as half equal, it's either equal or
it's not equal. Equality is the condition of having the same rights
and privileges. How does denying the right for certain citizens to
vote, support equality? It does not! By denying the right for
certain men, it does not support natural rights that should otherwise be
given. Therefore the declaration of rights of man and citizens doesn't
show a successful example of enlightened government."
- Jamiah, BSC II, 10th Grade
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Freshman's First Quarter Experience with High School Math
"High School. It has always been something that I wanted to be in. I was so excited the last week of summer unlike some of my peers who wished that the summer wasn't ending. A few weeks into the first quarter of the grading period progress reports were sent out. My Progress was pretty good except for the last grade on there. I had a D+ in IMP 2, which is the math program for my small school Community Partnership Academy. After seeing this grade my parents were a little mad but weren't furious.
The week after I had received the progress report, I went and talked to all of my teachers. They all basically said the same thing except for math. The math teacher, Mr. Goldman said " Eric, You have a lot of potential and I would like for you to come to my Tuesday and Thursday after school tutoring class." I figured I could go once a week. After going just one time after school and watching Mr. Goldman break down everything that we had learned since the first day of school, I began to understand how to work in his class. Now I am one of the 3 students passing his class. I successfully raised my grade at least by an entire letter grade. This progress makes me, Scholars [BSC II] and my family very happy.
Ending the quarter on a good note lets me start the second quarter by putting my best foot forward, and focusing on improving my grade even more. I am still excited about high school! GO Yellow Jackets!"
By Eric Saddler, 9th grade, BSC II
The week after I had received the progress report, I went and talked to all of my teachers. They all basically said the same thing except for math. The math teacher, Mr. Goldman said " Eric, You have a lot of potential and I would like for you to come to my Tuesday and Thursday after school tutoring class." I figured I could go once a week. After going just one time after school and watching Mr. Goldman break down everything that we had learned since the first day of school, I began to understand how to work in his class. Now I am one of the 3 students passing his class. I successfully raised my grade at least by an entire letter grade. This progress makes me, Scholars [BSC II] and my family very happy.
Ending the quarter on a good note lets me start the second quarter by putting my best foot forward, and focusing on improving my grade even more. I am still excited about high school! GO Yellow Jackets!"
By Eric Saddler, 9th grade, BSC II
Monday, November 9, 2009
Scholars Love Dropping Eggs!!!
The lesson is simple. We begin by discussing simple physic concepts such as:
Acceleration, gravitational pull, impact, force and absorption.
Scholars are amazed that an egg can't crack if force is concentrated evenly all around the shell (i.e. squeezing an egg with your hand) but will crack when tapped upon the edge of a bowl. The scholars engagement is captured and channeled into introduction questions, where as a group of learners we unearth the definition and examples of the above physic concepts. Then the challenge: Scholars must get in pairs and build a device that when dropped from 50 feet won't crack it's passenger (the egg). Pairs strategize, create a blueprint for their device, build then drop the device with the egg.
Check out some of our cool devices and the aftermath
Hector and Malayka's egg survived.
This egg wasn't so fortunate
Before the drop, Erick and Bryant's device is looking GOOD.
Their egg survived and these two ladies worked VERY well together all day.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Berkeley Scholars' Core Principles
Dear Scholar Family,
Last year, one of the biggest mysteries of the program was figuring out how to identify the "essence" of the Berkeley Scholars (BSC) model. In other words, what type of disposition do we want the scholars to have once they graduate high school and enter college? What qualities do we want them to use as "weapons" against any obstacles they face inside (academic) or outside (life in general) the classroom?
After thinking long and hard about these questions, and taking a closer look at what it takes to excel at a top university, Lee, Carol, and I agreed that the answers to these questions could be summarized using four principles: Integrity, Maturity, Proactivity, and Humility. Below is a brief description of how each principle applies to the BSC model.
Integrity. To be a person of integrity is to be a person of your word. Therefore, it is important for scholars to follow through on their verbal and written commitments (e.g., as they pertain to schoolwork, studying, ASP and SA attendance, and so forth). In the event the scholar cannot follow through on something, we expect them to communicate with a staff member (e.g., mentor, coordinator, etc.) and let someone know.
Maturity. This principles was best summed up with Denzel's line in "The Great Debaters." Basically, scholars are expected to do what they have to do before they do what they want to do. It's weird, I've found that getting my schoolwork out of the way actually makes my "chill time" that much enjoyable!
Proactivity. To be successful in anything, scholars are going to have to be proactive with regards to seeking out help if they need it, and resources to help them navigate high school, college, and life in general. In addition, scholars are going to have to be "go-getters" with regards to making sure they achieve any personal, academic, and professional goals they set for themselves. One of the things we as a staff are becoming increasingly more concerned about is making sure we balance the amount of support and advocacy we give the scholars with encouraging them to advocate for themselves. We want the scholars to appreciate the support and advocacy they receive from their parents and BSC, without solely depending on it. Put another way, we want scholars to use the power and "know-how" they already have.
Humility. This principle really speaks to the type of impact we want BSC to have on a local and national level. We want scholars to realize that no one succeeds purely on their own. Everyone receives some kind of help and encouragement along the way. Therefore, we want the scholars to use their brilliance and the things they learn from their parents and through BSC in the service of others. Although there are only 21 scholars in the program, the goal of BSC is to show all youth who may think otherwise that it's cool to be a scholar and to handle your business in school. It's cool to be a person of positive influence amongst your peers.
Lastly, I want to emphasize that we as a staff know that how well BSC is able to help the scholars cultivate these principles depends on how well we as a staff embody them ourselves. Therefore this is not a "one-sided" thing, so to speak. We are holding our staff accountable to each of these principles as well.
So here are BSC's core principles moving forward. We are looking forward to seeing these principles manifest themselves in amazing ways, and for BSC to continue to soar to new heights! Thank you for your love and support during this process.
Last year, one of the biggest mysteries of the program was figuring out how to identify the "essence" of the Berkeley Scholars (BSC) model. In other words, what type of disposition do we want the scholars to have once they graduate high school and enter college? What qualities do we want them to use as "weapons" against any obstacles they face inside (academic) or outside (life in general) the classroom?
After thinking long and hard about these questions, and taking a closer look at what it takes to excel at a top university, Lee, Carol, and I agreed that the answers to these questions could be summarized using four principles: Integrity, Maturity, Proactivity, and Humility. Below is a brief description of how each principle applies to the BSC model.
Integrity. To be a person of integrity is to be a person of your word. Therefore, it is important for scholars to follow through on their verbal and written commitments (e.g., as they pertain to schoolwork, studying, ASP and SA attendance, and so forth). In the event the scholar cannot follow through on something, we expect them to communicate with a staff member (e.g., mentor, coordinator, etc.) and let someone know.
Maturity. This principles was best summed up with Denzel's line in "The Great Debaters." Basically, scholars are expected to do what they have to do before they do what they want to do. It's weird, I've found that getting my schoolwork out of the way actually makes my "chill time" that much enjoyable!
Proactivity. To be successful in anything, scholars are going to have to be proactive with regards to seeking out help if they need it, and resources to help them navigate high school, college, and life in general. In addition, scholars are going to have to be "go-getters" with regards to making sure they achieve any personal, academic, and professional goals they set for themselves. One of the things we as a staff are becoming increasingly more concerned about is making sure we balance the amount of support and advocacy we give the scholars with encouraging them to advocate for themselves. We want the scholars to appreciate the support and advocacy they receive from their parents and BSC, without solely depending on it. Put another way, we want scholars to use the power and "know-how" they already have.
Humility. This principle really speaks to the type of impact we want BSC to have on a local and national level. We want scholars to realize that no one succeeds purely on their own. Everyone receives some kind of help and encouragement along the way. Therefore, we want the scholars to use their brilliance and the things they learn from their parents and through BSC in the service of others. Although there are only 21 scholars in the program, the goal of BSC is to show all youth who may think otherwise that it's cool to be a scholar and to handle your business in school. It's cool to be a person of positive influence amongst your peers.
Lastly, I want to emphasize that we as a staff know that how well BSC is able to help the scholars cultivate these principles depends on how well we as a staff embody them ourselves. Therefore this is not a "one-sided" thing, so to speak. We are holding our staff accountable to each of these principles as well.
So here are BSC's core principles moving forward. We are looking forward to seeing these principles manifest themselves in amazing ways, and for BSC to continue to soar to new heights! Thank you for your love and support during this process.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A young student interviews the president
Recently, I was browsing the web and came across an intriguing interview between a 5th grade male and President Obama. This interview inspired me, because it points out the signficance of programs like Berkeley Scholars. Imagine if Mr. Weaver (the interviewer) continues to recieve adequate support from a college prep program as Berkeley Scholars. He will soar. He will do amazing things and will have the tools and perspective necessary to act upon his potential. Without such a program, his dreams are subject to the bludgeonings of his environment and is set at a disadvantage because of the lack of access of resources. Berkeley Scholars, hopes to be the answer by expanding its reach in the near future.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Dolores Huerta visits the scholars
Check the Scholars out in the International Museum of Women monthly newsletter!
I.M.O.W. and Dolores Huerta Visit Stiles Hall in BerkeleyHuerta inspires a group of at-risk youth | ||
 Huerta with B.S.C. students, | As part of our on-going commitment to reach out to our community, IMOW facilitated an event with Dolores Huerta at Stiles Hall in Berkeley last Tuesday, July 21. Huerta joined us, along with Global Council member Pat Martel, to speak to 15 students from Berkeley Scholars to Cal (B.S.C.), a program which gives at-risk minority youth the tools to pursue a college education by providing them with mentors and academic support from 5th to 12th grade. The students' enthusiasm was evident throughout her inspiring talk about community organization and the fight for social justice. Afterwards, Huerta chatted and posed for pictures with the students, many of whom wanted a photo and an autograph as a keepsake. We are deeply grateful to Stiles Hall, B.S.C. and Dolores Huerta for making this event possible. To get a behind-the-scenes look at Dolores' visit with I.M.O.W., be sure to check out our most recent blog. | |
Any amount you desire to donate can help us continue great programming. Scholars on the MOVE.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Donate to Berkeley Scholars
Choose whatever amount you are comfortable with. Your kind donation allows us to provide one-to-one mentoring for black and latino youth for 8 years.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Significance of Working with the Little Ones
Recently I and a few other BSC II scholars were given a chance to teach BSC III about middle school life and give tips that worked for us, and share experiences in which we learned from. Working with the younger scholars was a mutual benefit. For BSC III it was a chance to learn about a new chapter in their life, middle school. For us, it was an opportunity to step up and be the ones passing on our knowledge to people who look up to us. It’s very important for BSC III to interact with the older scholars, just as it is for all the scholars to interact their mentors, for the same reasons as well. We use our mentors for people to look up to and for guidance. Not only do the scholars get a role model who is in college, but they also get role models who are halfway there, in high school, getting ready for college. So, BSC III has everything laid out for them; how to get through middle school, examples of how to get through high school, example of the process of preparing for college, example of how to get through college, and how to strive in all areas. Working with BSC III helps us to build life skills such as learning how to interact with a younger group of children and how to plan a lesson, which was a lot more challenging then I expected. In a less academic aspect, having interactions between both age groups is a golden opportunity to build a relationship; BSC II scholars gets a chance to serve as big sisters and brothers, and BSC III scholars more role models for guidance. I really loved working with BSC III, and look forward to many more future interactions with them.
- Super Scholar Shantel
Monday, July 6, 2009
Summer 2009 - BSCII Summer Scholars
Hey All,
This is Julian speaking on behalf of the Berkeley Scholars 2 about how the summer is going so far. We are most definitely benefitting from the Math SAT prep from Celeste and hope that the English part will be just as beneficial. Even though the Math portion may not be my particular cup of tea, I know that it will help me for the PSAT we will all be taking in October this school year. That is only the first hour and fifthteen minutes. Around 5:15 we have our break and move on to the "big project". We are still in the beginning stages of choosing our topics and planning the way we want to organize our poster board. Overall, there haven't been any major problems with any of our peers and everyone is working with each other. There have been many group activities with each other which I feel is great and I think I am getting the same vibe from the other scholars. All is well on the Scholar Front.
-Julian Morris-Walker
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Day 3 Trip to Boston--A Day in Pictures
MIT Informational
MIT Tour
The Funky Architecture on MIT's campus.
Outside lobby 7...
Our handsome young men
Our beautiful young ladies
Meeting the Mayor of Cambridge
After the Award ceremony for the Keys to the City of Cambridge, Mass.
Thoughts from Scholars
"I really liked the meeting that we had with the Mayor. It was very uplifting to know that we had reached out to other people and they appreciated the fact that we were on top of our academics. It made me feel as if I had made a right choice, to doing my school work. Also, I felt very inspired to be acknowledged for all my hard work. It was nice of the Mayor to actually take the time to have our program in the city hall. This really made me feel honored and very important." - Bilal
"I would also like to thank Susan (at CCTV) for doing all of this for our program. It was nice that she would help us put videos on the website to show how much fun we had and to show our appreciation for the trip." - Bilal
"The mayor was really nice for letting us visit her. When the Mayor was finished talking, she gave us a key to the city and I liked that. I like that because it showed me that I am important and that I influence young people in my community. I'd like to thank other people like Robyn Bell (Cambridge Tourism) and Jeff Walker (Chief of Staff, Mayor)
"The best and most inspiring thing of the day was when we met the mayor [of Cambridge]. It was such a great honor that a very important business woman would take time out of her busy life to talk with us. Going up to receive our keys [to the city] from the mayor has so far been the best moment of my life. I really felt like I’m going to make a difference in the world and but until that nothing will top this. " - Brandon
"I would also like to thank Susan (at CCTV) for doing all of this for our program. It was nice that she would help us put videos on the website to show how much fun we had and to show our appreciation for the trip." - Bilal
"The mayor was really nice for letting us visit her. When the Mayor was finished talking, she gave us a key to the city and I liked that. I like that because it showed me that I am important and that I influence young people in my community. I'd like to thank other people like Robyn Bell (Cambridge Tourism) and Jeff Walker (Chief of Staff, Mayor)
"The best and most inspiring thing of the day was when we met the mayor [of Cambridge]. It was such a great honor that a very important business woman would take time out of her busy life to talk with us. Going up to receive our keys [to the city] from the mayor has so far been the best moment of my life. I really felt like I’m going to make a difference in the world and but until that nothing will top this. " - Brandon
Day 3 Trip to Boston Scholar Reflections--Jamiah and Erica
Scholar Agenda:
MIT, Cambridge Community TV, Mayors Office--Keys to the City Award
"Today was such a great day filled with so many opportunities. We first attended MIT and we had some cool students who answered our questions. I learned that MIT is about engineering but you can also get into other fields like humanities. It’s a lot like BHS they said, but mostly math based. I love how homey and comforting MIT was.
We then went on a tour of the campus which was sooo abstract but beautiful at the same time. I just loved the setting.
We then went to the television station and it really broadened my range on fields I want to go in. I loved video-taping our little skits. It felt so natural for me. I am now interested in being a host of a TV show.
To top it all off we got the keys to Cambridge, Massachusetts by the mayor. This made me feel so honored and appreciated and made me want to do more. So now I’m shooting for my 4.0 to do all I can do possible knowing a whole city is counting on us. And the weather was PERFECT."--
Love Jay (Jamiah)
"Being a berkeley scholar means more than just being on a track to go to college; a scholar is a role model, an excellent person, and an involved student outside of academics. The image of a scholar is a prestigious image that is upheld at all times; scholars portray themselves in a professional manner throughout all vigorous activities. A scholar pushes through every obstacle that's thrown their way, in order to reach the goal set ahead. All these attributes make up a Berkeley scholar, and for those particular attributes that is why the Berkeley scholars program was awarded the keys to the city of Cambridge.
It was such a great honor to be presented with the keys to the city award. Meeting both the former mayor and current major was an honor itself. Also seeing the both of them have an extremely important part in Cambridge's history.
Honestly I myself and the scholars don't understand the true importance of this, but hopefully we soon will and cherish that moment. As well as future scholars after us will have to move to broader opportunities to receive a good education and go on more trips such as these. Speaking as a scholar, I would love to receive more acknowledgments such as the one given to us today."
Sincerely,
Erica Gratton
MIT, Cambridge Community TV, Mayors Office--Keys to the City Award
"Today was such a great day filled with so many opportunities. We first attended MIT and we had some cool students who answered our questions. I learned that MIT is about engineering but you can also get into other fields like humanities. It’s a lot like BHS they said, but mostly math based. I love how homey and comforting MIT was.
We then went on a tour of the campus which was sooo abstract but beautiful at the same time. I just loved the setting.
We then went to the television station and it really broadened my range on fields I want to go in. I loved video-taping our little skits. It felt so natural for me. I am now interested in being a host of a TV show.
To top it all off we got the keys to Cambridge, Massachusetts by the mayor. This made me feel so honored and appreciated and made me want to do more. So now I’m shooting for my 4.0 to do all I can do possible knowing a whole city is counting on us. And the weather was PERFECT."--
Love Jay (Jamiah)
"Being a berkeley scholar means more than just being on a track to go to college; a scholar is a role model, an excellent person, and an involved student outside of academics. The image of a scholar is a prestigious image that is upheld at all times; scholars portray themselves in a professional manner throughout all vigorous activities. A scholar pushes through every obstacle that's thrown their way, in order to reach the goal set ahead. All these attributes make up a Berkeley scholar, and for those particular attributes that is why the Berkeley scholars program was awarded the keys to the city of Cambridge.
It was such a great honor to be presented with the keys to the city award. Meeting both the former mayor and current major was an honor itself. Also seeing the both of them have an extremely important part in Cambridge's history.
Honestly I myself and the scholars don't understand the true importance of this, but hopefully we soon will and cherish that moment. As well as future scholars after us will have to move to broader opportunities to receive a good education and go on more trips such as these. Speaking as a scholar, I would love to receive more acknowledgments such as the one given to us today."
Sincerely,
Erica Gratton
Meeting the Mayor of Cambridge - What it means to me
"If Berkeley Scholars is a kid, meeting the Mayor and receiving the keys to the city was our puberty"
The essence of change was captured today in the Cambridge City Hall, while all of the scholars and college counselors watched in awe as the Mayor E. Denise Simmons told her words one after the other—each sentence being pounded and absorbed into our ears. We in BSC2, before coming to Cambridge, thought that life was already becoming “adult-like”, but having the privilege to come 3000 miles out to Cambridge and be honored in one of the highest ways possible to that city was just amazing.
Hearts pounded faster, pressed and ironed suits and dresses ruffled in the wind, backs were straightened, and chins were held up high each step closer to the Cambridge City Hall. Steps echoed in the main entrance, curving staircases curving to either side, as we all decide to turn up left, striding in two files with confidence. Hands are shaken, eyes levels are met, and we sit.
Slow-motion took over my body; a freeze-frame of this moment would remain with me forever. It amazed me and will always amaze me to see how far we scholars have come. It is truly an incredible experience to have been in. Seriously.
By: Benjamin Johnson
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