The Connector
Welcome to the ASN Connector, our new weekly newsblog. We will be posting news articles about current projects at ASN member schools, so you can see what your colleagues are up to.
Room for all on the court with Friday Night Hoops
FIRDAY NIGHT HOOPS
PACHS’s Principal Matt Rodriguez and Title XX Counselor Rudolfo Gonzalez couldn’t get the student commitment they needed to participate as a school in the ASN league this year, but they didn’t want to give up on providing the teens with an after school sports program.
Rodriguez and Gonzalez started talking with the teens during their lunch periods, looking for some way to get kids involved. Eventually they decided on Friday Night Hoops, a drop in, optional participation sports program that meets on, well—Friday nights—after school. During the week, especially on Fridays, Rodriguez and Gonzalez work the lunchroom, stirring up interest and getting commitments from the teens.
Participation has been very high, and the teachers and students meet up almost every Friday. On a March night, the program drew 20 participants who walked eight blocks in the cold rain from the high school to the St. Mary’s of Nazareth Hospital Center for about three hours of basketball and friendly competition.
Most Fridays, the students play a game, and once they are worn out and tired, the teachers step onto the court. They play at St. Mary’s and at St. Mark, a Catholic Parish around the corner from the school. Ray Barreto Boys and Girls Club across the street from the high school has always been generous with their resources, but Friday nights are dedicated to their own membership activity.
The school has had some competition from soccer playing surgeons, but the hospital has been very generous in providing space at no cost to the school. The games are open to all in the school, and it looks like the Friday Night Hoops is here to stay.
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ASN Youth Behind the Camera: Chicago Youth Community Film Festival
Chicago Youth Behind the Camera
Save the date! Chicago Youth Community Film Festival: A Reel Look at Their Neighborhoods is coming soon. The annual youth film festival and awards event will be held May 31 at the Chicago Cultural Center . Check back here soon for more time and room information.
In case you missed them! Check out these great films created by ASN students in classes conducted by Communit y TV Network instructors. For over 35 years, CTVN has provided hands-o n training in video production for Chicago Youth.
"Dearbor
n Homes: A Dialogue"
During 2011 the following ASN student produced films were selected for screenings or received festival awards.
"Dearborn Homes: A Dialogue" (McKinley) was an official jury selection at the 2011 CineYouth Festival, part of the Chicago International Film Festival
"Let's Dance" CCA Academy, "Dearborn Homes: A Dialogue" were chosen to be part of the 5th Annual Screen Test Student Fest at the Schaumberg Prairie Center for the Arts.
"Dear Mom, Dear Dad" ASA and "Our Hidden Culture" ASA were selected at the Do It Your D!@#self National YouthVideo and Film Festival in Boston, MA
Subscribe to Community TV Network’s youtube channel to check out lots of great student-produced video.
Teens Testify Before Legislators on the Importance of Summer Jobs
150 Youth Attend Chicago Youth Hearing on Summer Jobs and Opportunities
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El Cuarto Año’s Gay Straight Alliance creates bridges in school and beyond.
El Cuarto Año’s Gay Straight Alliance was created last year under the sponsorship of Social Studies teacher Brittany Shick to address the wishes of LGBT students at the school. These young men and women experienced a range of comfort levels at ECA and wanted a structure they could both feel safe in and continue to sound off and explore issues related to their sexual and/or gender preferences. Over the course of the year it emerged as one of the strongest clubs at the school and did a lot to heighten LGBT awareness, creating a more enlightened environment all around.