Spotlight on After School

Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League Finals a Success!

2011-12-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

The Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League (PSDL) completed its ten weeks of competition with a final debate tournament at The University of Pennsylvania on December 14. The school champion was Masterman High School, with top team and speaker points prizes going to students from George Washington, Masterman, Constitution High School, and Science Leadership Academy.

The PSDL is run by ASAP in partnership with Penn for Youth Debate. For the 2011 season, over 56 teams participated from 21 Philadelphia public high schools, all coached by school district teachers. The Wednesday debate competitions ran through the fall, with students researching and debating one topic per month in public forum debate.

Wednesday’s competition started with a motivational speech from Seth Williams, Philadelphia’s district attorney. Addressing the room full of high schoolers, he told them that debate would serve them well in life, citing the many skills assistant district attorneys use every day that can be developed through debate- such as knowing both sides of an argument and thinking on your feet.

Williams also took a chance to share his own story with the students, talking about his early successes and failures that led him to the District Attorney’s office. After graduating from Central High School, he attended West Point for one year but had to leave due to illness – “an allergy to math,” but wound up highly successful at Penn State, graduating as student body president. While he never imagined that is where he would wind up, he “never gave up,” and urged the students never to give up either.

“Whatever your reason for going to school, whether its debate, or the tater tots, or sports, find some reason to go to school and go there every day,” he told the students, citing the difficult statistic that the majority of those arrested in Philadelphia have one thing in common: they did not graduate from high school.

“I am very proud of all of you,” Williams ended, wishing all the students luck. Teams them split up to various rooms to debate December’s topic, “Resolved: Current Income Disparities in the United States Threaten Democratic Ideals.”

The top three rounds had three judges to ensure the most accurate outcome: a coach, an outside experienced debate judge, and a Penn for Youth Debate volunteer. Debates lasted an hour, at which point the totals were quickly determined for an awards ceremony.

Megan Hess-Homeier, ASAP’s debate coordinator, first recognized the commitment and hard work of all the teams before announcing the top speaker points, teams, and school champion.

“The skills you’ve gained from debate will serve you your whole life, and I can say that, as a former speech and debate participant,” Meg told the students.

Justin Ennis, ASAP’s Execuetive Director, also acknowledged the hard work Ms. Hess-Homeier put into debate over the 10 week season to make it a success. The awards were as follows:

Championship Teams
1. George Washington A team, Raisa Masud and Sam Shanazarov
2. Masterman A team, Melanie Millwood and Maia Reumann-Moore
3. Constitution A team, Deion Jordan and Kayla McCoy

Individual Speaker Champions
1. Desislava Gergishanova, George Washington
2. Raisa Masud, George Washington
3. Maia Reumann-Moore, Masterman
4. Jeff Kessler, Science Leadership Academy

School Sweepstakes

1. Masterman

2. Central

3. George Washington

Full league standings can be found on the ASAP debate page. Pictures of the finals round on ASAP's facebook page.

Just for Fun: ASAP Holiday Gift Guide

2011-12-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

For your Scrabblulous Friends

There are now tons of addicting variations on the board game Scrabble- including the new Scrabble Flash Game, where you have to unscramble letters before time runs out. Great for parties or for playing solo.

Scrabble Flash, 19.98, from amazon.com

For your Siblings, whom you’re Always Debating With

A subscription to the New York Times, so they can learn about why you’re always right…. I mean, so they can do research for your next arguement.

Home Delivery for the New York Times starts at 3.70/week.

For Your Kids, who are Future Chess Prodigies

Chess is great for building kid’s critical thinking skills, plus, they have a lot of fun playing it. Give them the opportunity to practice with a computer game so they can keep improving.

Chess Master, 10^th Addition, $8.91 from amazon.com

For your Nieces and Nephews, with a flair for the Dramatic

Get their imaginations going with Rory’s Story Cubes, dice with pictures that have countless ways to play- including using the pictures to tell your own story or create your own play.

Rory’s Story Cubes, 7.49 from amazon.com

For the Person Who Has Everything

Instead of giving someone more clutter, why not give something that will provide the countless benefits of after school programming: safety after school, and improved academic performance and school attendance, not to mention the gift of skills like critical thinking that will serve them for years to come.

See what effect your donation can have, and give here!

Behind the Scenes at an ASAP Chess Tournament

2011-12-05T12:51:00.001-08:00

As a relative newcomer to the world of chess, I expected silence when I arrived at my first ASAP chess tournament. But when I entered the halls of Community College of Philadelphia a few weeks ago, I was surprised that the chess playing was audible. Inside the divided main room, the sounds of over 200 children shuffling, sighing, coughing and whispering created a low, hushed hum of noise. The occasional chess piece even let out an audible thwack when triumphantly placed in the perfect position. ASAP staff and volunteers move deftly among the tables, settling debates and keeping things moving along.

In the halls and classrooms off to the side, the noise levels rose. Parents and coaches congratulated students who had won, and comforted those who had lost. One young player walked straight to his mother after losing and buried his face in her lap. “You never really lose,” she reminded him, “Because you learn something every time.

Competitors between matches and their siblings sat in the hallway, playing cards, reading books, and chatting with friends. Two brothers were playing chess – this time, electronically through their iPods.

Other students ran straight back to coaches to strategize and reenact the meet they had just played. Those who have learned notation were able to recreate their game, move for move, for a coach. The furthest classroom from the competition had become headquarters for an ASAP chess club, the Kings and Queens Chess Club in North Philly. As the final round of competition died down, a chess player raced back to the classroom, announcing breathlessly, “I won!” The room exploded, and parents began high-fiving him. “That’s what I’m talking about!” the coach crowed.

Curious, I poked my head in to ask what the celebration was about. I met the coach, Coach Craig, who explained that all of his player were officially going home with medals, meaning they had won two or more games. “Even babies come home with medals” in the Kings and Queens Chess club. “We are trying to show people that North Philadelphia is more than just the ghetto,” Coach Craig continues, “We have minds.”

Marshall Bright is ASAP’s Communications and Scrabble Coordinator. She has lost to at least 10 ASAP chess players in the past.

Youth Development and the "Sixth C"

2011-11-16T07:46:00.000-08:00


ASAP Coach Gil Motley and one of his students

When we talk about after school programming, we often focus on skills gained. And some of the links seem obvious: chess improves critical thinking, Scrabble improves spelling, debate helps with public speaking. But many of us recognize that something else can be gained from involvement in after school programs, something bigger than simply the skills required to participate in an ASAP club. After all, at ASAP, we often say, ‘What happens after graduation stars with what happens after school.’

ASAP coaches are not just leading a club, they are positive influences in the lives of their club members. While they might help a student memorize their lines or remind them to find a place for that “Q” on a triple letter score, they are also imparting skills like social competency through lessons on losing and winning with grace, or empathy of understanding someone else’s perspective.
While it may hard to think of these qualities as quantifiable in the way that we think about improved literacy or public speaking, an extensive, nation-wide4-H youth development study tracked five areas of positive youth development and what affects them: the five C’s, competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring. When youth are allowed to develop the five C’s, the study found a sixth C was developed: contribution, defined as contributing to their families, neighborhoods, and society.

The study found that youth development programs are key in students developing the six C’s of character development. A successful youth development program involves positive adult-youth interactions, an activity that builds life skills, and high youth participation and leadership. These competent are intrinsically built into ASAP’s after school programs: caring, committed adults lead clubs that both teach life skills and require high club member participation. Every week, these coaches are helping students develop traits that will not only help them succeed, but also enable them to give back and improve their communities as well.

Debate Off to a Strong Start

2011-10-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

Students plan their debate strategy

If any sense of after-hours calm ever pervades Central High School after the final bell, there is none of it to be found on Wednesday afternoons. Instead, you will likely find over 100 high school students from all over the city preparing for their debate competitions. Some school affiliations are obvious: surely the large group made up exclusively of girls pouring over their binders are from Girls High. Vaux High School, in matching uniforms adorned with the Promise Academy insignia, look sharp and orderly standing together. Other students, however, wear only the uniforms of high school: jeans, tennis shoes, and tee shirts, and zip-up hoodies.

In the flurry of over 20 high schools rolling into Central, Megan Hess-Homeier, ASAP’s debate coordinator, directs students and their coaches, who act as judges, to various classrooms and spaces throughout Central. Slowly, the hallways empty, and the rooms fall silent to any noise but the sounds of students asserting their positions on private funding for space exploration.

This year’s debate roster is made up of schools from all over the city: neighborhood schools and selective magnets, first-time debaters and big-time power hitters. Science Leadership Academy, last year’s team to beat, sends three teams weekly, rotating newer debaters in their C Team, and seasoned returners in their A and B teams. South Philadelphia High School, a new team this year, has two freshman on their A team, both first-time debaters who became interested in the activity when starting their new school.

Sankofa Students after their win

George Washington High School, a neighborhood school in the Northeast, is emerging as strong contenders this year: their A team is in first place after three weeks of competition, and the top three individual speaker points have gone all to George Washington students. Other schools have had to deal with disappointment: Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, a new school in the league, brought several students to the first debate, but when two teams lost, only one team was brave enough to return the second week. Their tenacity was rewarded with a win and both boys were elated. They quickly reported the news to their coach, who jumped up and down after receiving the news.Their A team is now ranked a respectable 15^th out of 48 teams. Their B team is reforming to return again in November.

The different stories from debate teams all over the city highlight the diversity of the Philadelphia Scholastic Debate teams- “diverse in more ways than one,” explains Megan, who, as coordinator, is intimately acquainted with the dozens of teams from different backgrounds and types of schools all over the city. The students are given a chance to interact with, and learn from, peers they might not necessarily interact with normally.

At a recent debate, Girls High C gave the new debaters from South a run for their money, demanding in cross-fire for the sources of the boy’s arguments. The boys, flustered, were unable to respond, a point that the Girls High debaters reminded the judge of in the summation. After the heated arguments, however, the students fell quickly into conversation. “Yo I was so nervous!” laughed a Girls High debater. “I couldn’t tell!” insisted one of the Southern boys, and the teams fell into easy conversation after nearly twenty minutes of heated disagreement. They are getting along for now, until the next time they have to go against each other, in which case, as the debaters show time and time again, they are ready to stand firm and argue their points without mercy. After all, they’re all chasing George Washington to take the top spot

For more pictures of the debate competition, and updates on ASAP, "like" us on Facebook!

For more information on debate, contact Megan Hess-Homeier at meganhh@phillyasap.org.

Susan Polgar on the Importance of Chess: “Make it Part of the Curriculum”

2011-10-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Susan Polgar with Vanita Young, a Philly chess player,

at Polgar's All-Girls Chess Invitational earlier this summer.

Susan Polgar has long been an advocate for chess, particularly for girls, whose numbers drop severely after 4th and 5th grade. In an article in Saturday’s New York Times, Polgar spoke with reporter James Warren about her efforts and the importance of chess during the Susan Polgar World Open Championship for Girls and Boys in Chicago.

“Socially, I think, they are not supported enough,” Polgar explained. Programs like Polgar’s, as well as ASAP’s Philly Girls Play Chess gives girls both the social support and chess skills to keep them interested and improving. The benefits are so great that Polgar even argues that chess should be taught in schools. As Warren states:

[C]hess teaches discipline, analytical thinking, time management, focus and patience — skills that can be useful throughout life.

Chess is important not only for girls but for high-risk and low-income students, for whom participating in chess can bring increased focus and critical thinking not only in competitions but at school. Explains Polgar, chess can bring“a boost in self-confidence can change lives.” In response to Saturday's article, the Times also published a letter to the editor from an educator who shared his own story about the benefits of chess.

Several chess players at the tournament included students from Walter D. Palmer Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, a club supported by ASAP. The Palmer students performed well at the competiton. Vanita Young, who previously won a 40K scholarship at Polgar’s all-girls invitational, placed third for 6-12 girls. The three Palmer boys who competed also held their own in their highly competitive bracket of 9-12 grade boys.

Philly Plays Scrabble® showcases Phillies Phever and young Scrabble® talent

2011-10-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Greenfield students arriving at their library on Thursday, October 13 knew they were going to be playing Scrabble as part of the Philly Plays Scrabble® kick-off- but didn't know who their competitors were going to be.

When they were told they would be playing students from Science Leadership Academy (SLA), a magnet high school just a few blocks away on 22nd and JFK, a few of the students balked.

"I can't be playing students from SLA!" One student exclaimed, "I'm trying to get INTO that school!"

Scrabble® coordinator Marshall Bright explained that students would play kids their own age, but also reassured them that performance at the Scrabble® kick-off would in now way affect their high school admission chances.

However, a few confident Greenfield Scrabble players, who had been in the Scrabble® club for the past two years, said they were up to playing high schoolers.

As the SLA students entered the library, everyone began to get settled in, picking a board and an opponent. A few Greenfield students were good to their word and chose an older SLA competitor to match off against.

Introductions filled the library as Justin Ennis, ASAP's director, hushed the crowd of students to explain the rules and introduce the celebrity Scrabble® players, Greenfield principal Dan Lazar and PICA chair (Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority) Sam Katz. Justin also announced a special prize for the best Phillies or baseball related word in honor of the post-season. The prize had to be Phillies-related, of course: a brand new Phillies hat.

Justin reminded the students that words still had to be in the Scrabble® Dictionary - "Would Utley work?" He asked, and the students, all good Scrabble® players, answered in unison: "No!" Why not? "No proper nouns!" Dan Lazar, not afraid to hide his affiliation even among so many Phillies fans, asked if Red Sox words would count.

As soon as the rules were explained, students eagerly began flipping tiles, organizing racks, and playing words. ASAP staff wandered around with Scrabble® Dictionaries to settle disputes on "challenged" words.

Two boys, who had been determined to win since they saw Justin carrying in the hats, took an early and obvious lead by building off each other's words. When one boy played "base," his opponent added "ball." Then, "stadium" was immediately pluralized to "stadiums."

Clamoring over each other for final victory, the two friends vied for the Phillies hat. Thankfully, ASAP had two on hand, and for their excellent performance and teamwork even in competition, both boys went home with a new hat.

As for the seasoned Greenfield students who went "up to bat" against high schools students? Not only were they fierce competitors for their high school oponents, one Greenfield student even acted as a "pinch hitter" to Sam Katz, who graciously conceded victory to Mr. Lazar.

The event ended with Katz reminding students that Scrabble® is more about winning or losing, but about the skills gained along the way, something over 1,000 Philadelphia school Scrabble® participants learned last year. While the Phillies season ended days later, the 2011-2012 Philadelphia Scrabble® season is already off to a strong start.

More pictures of the Kick-off are located on ASAP's Facebook page here!

Spotlight on A.B. Day Scrabble Club

2011-05-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

When kindergarten teacher Nancy Mines first started using Scrabble as a teaching tool, she decided to ditch the rule book for a game of her own design. So she laid the tiles out and told them to “make words.”

The youngsters responded enthusiastically, and Mines quickly realized she had a hit on her hands. The kindergartens clamored to “make words,” and Mrs. Mines obliged.

Vaughn (left) and Alonzo (right) deliberate during an ASAP tournament.

A few years later when she heard about ASAP’s Philly Plays Scrabble, knowing full well the educational power of the Scrabble tiles, Mines jumped at the chance to start a Scrabble club at her Germantown public school. Three years later A.B. Day has one of the strongest Scrabble programs in the city, with students who first encountered the game as “make words” now mastering the senior version of the board game.

Mines says that the club – which meets every Wednesday and serves students from third to sixth grade – helps students build their vocabulary and improve their interpersonal skills. “The biggest thing is the collaboration,” says Mines, “they know they have to be good sports.”

Once beyond that barrier, Mines sees Scrabble as a game that can turn young people into “lifelong learners.” She says she feels fortunate to have seen the evidence of that in the growth of her students. Pointing to a group of sixth graders, all of whom she taught as kindergarteners, Mines proudly proclaims that all three are in accelerated classes. “They’re always thinking,” Mines says.

That much is clear from talking to the students. Sixth-grader Vaughn took so strongly to Scrabble that he decided to teach the game to his entire family. Now two younger siblings play with him in Mines’ club, and Vaughn knows why. “[Scrabble] helps with vocabulary. If you have better vocabulary it makes you seem wiser and it’ll help you go to college,” Vaughn explains.

Fellow sixth-graders Alonzo and Gabriel agree, and all three say they will attend college in the future. No question. For Gabriel it’s just the first step on his way to becoming a brain surgeon.

And although she spends most of her day teaching the most basic concepts to the youngest students, Mines certainly sees the big picture in Alonzo, Gabriel, and Vaughn.

“I want to hear about one of those guys going further someday,” Mines says, “and I think that they will.”

Spotlight on the Pennsylvania State Chess Championships

2011-03-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

2011 State Scholastic Chess Championships Highlights
The Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge: 65 Awards and Counting!

Every year, ASAP sponsors the best and most competitive chess players in the Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge to attend the PA State Scholastic Chess Championships held in Carlisle, PA. Last year’s group of nearly 50 sponsored students returned with 40 trophies and medals, twice the haul of the previous year! This year’s group of 57 students representing 18 Philadelphia public and charter schools brought home nearly 70 trophies and honors! Included among them: High School and Elementary State Chess Champions Masterman School, Under 1300 State High School Chess Champions High School of Engineering and Science, and 3rd Place Middle School Champions Blankenburg School.

7-12 U1300 5th place: Walter D. Palmer Charter High School
7-12 U1300 4th place: George Washington High School

Prep charter Sophomore Mingo Johnson

K-9 U1000 2nd Place School: Blankenburg School
K-6 Open 1st Place School: Masterman
K-8 Open 2nd Place School: Masterman
7-12 U1000 2nd Place School: Engineering and Science HS
K-6 U800 2nd Place School: Blankenburg

7-12 U1300 7th place: Gary Spencer (Walter D. Palmer Charter High School)
7-12 U1300 6th place: Mingo Johnson (Prep Charter High School)
7-12 U1300 3rd place: Cruz Dejesus (Engineering and Science)
7-12 U1000 4th place: Donald Chang (Northeast HS)
7-12 U1000 2nd Place: Chang Zheng (Northeast HS)

Prep Charter Sophomore Mingo Johnson participated in his first states tournament and earned a 6th place trophy. Accompanied by his mother and coach, Adam Gilman, Mingo said he was excited and honored to be there. “Chess is a good mind game,” said Lisa Biddle, Mingo’s mom. “It promotes thinking and patience.” Adam said Mingo is very focused and when he plays he is “in a zone.”

The Walter D. Palmer chess squad poses with the hardware.

Walter D. Palmer School Coach Douglas Cox was elated with the 3 trophies his team brought back this year, compared to returning empty handed after their first states appearance last year. Among the 3 trophies, was a team award for fifth place in the 7-12 Under 1300 section. Cox attributes their improvement to his players competing in ASAP’s free Saturday chess tournaments, which prepared them for states and allowed them to increase their United States Chess Federation ratings by 700 points. Cox said two of his students are juniors who are interested in applying for the chess scholarship awards next year.

Mikyeil El-Mekki (left) poses with some of his players.

Blankenburg School Coach Mikyeil el-Mekki’s team came back with a total of 13 awards, including Third Place Middle School Champions! “None of this would be possible without the unbelievable staff of ASAP,” el-Mekki said. “We are grateful to ASAP for being champions of this cause for our students.”

Chess challenge alum Dan Worthington

Chess Challenge Alumnus Dan Worthington, took First Place in the Collegiate Under 1500 section. Now a junior at St. Joseph’s University studying actuarial science, Dan attributed his first-place win to his hard work and participation in ASAP’s Chess Challenge. “Chess teaches me to not give up,” said the Roxborough High graduate. “I am proud of my accomplishments in chess and school.” Dan exemplifies ASAP’s motto: “What happens after graduation starts with what happens after school!”

Spotlight on J.B. Kelly Chess Club: The Victorians are Victorious

2011-03-01T07:03:00.000-08:00

Ms Whitney (far right) with her team at the League Semi-Finals

Fifth-grade learning support teacher Felicia Whitney knew her class at J.B. Kelly School in Germantown needed focus, so she turned to a game. In October, Whitney introduced chess to the cohort, and since then the students have excelled not only in the game but in the classroom as well. Even though this was the first time the team participated in ASAP’s Philadelphia Scholastic Chess League, they proved to be formidable opponents. Whitney’s bunch ran off an 8-0 record in the Northwest Elementary School Division and advanced to the semi-finals of the league tournament.

Through chess, Whitney said her students found a conduit for success and positive reinforcement, one that helps them manage their learning disabilities. “The students need less therapy,” Whitney said, “and it’s helped with their anger management and their willingness to help others” as they are eager to teach the game to fellow students and family members.

Whitney considers chess the best kind of learning support, saying, “It brings positive accolades. We are representing not only the school, but the District.” The students’ chess success inspired Whitney to draft an e-mail to several School District officials highlighting her team’s achievements. Below is the message she graciously shared with us:

Chess has made a world of difference to my Learning Support Class. How pleased I am to share my wonderful news about John B. Kelly's 5th grade learning support class, one of four School District of Philadelphia elementary teams competing in ASAP's Semi-Final Chess Match on February 24, 2011.  John B. Kelly students registered late in the league but worked twice as hard to learn the game and compete with more experienced teams.  The students are so proud of their accomplishments.  

The game of chess has helped them focus, work together as a team, and take pride in representing John  B. Kelly  Elementary School.  Watching them compete is an awesome experience.

We are blessed to have the support of our faculty and staff under the leadership of new Principal, Fatima Goodman-Rogers. Know that no matter who places first in the tournament The John B. Kelly Victorians are Victorious! I thank you for supporting an activity that does not require our school having an equipped gym or outdoor field. Please know that you are always welcome to visit us.

Felicia Whitney

Learning Support Teacher and Chess Coach 

John B. Kelly Elementary School

Spotlight on Jennifer Shahade, Author, Chess Expert and Friend of ASAP

2011-02-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

Longtime ASAP collaborator and supporter Jennifer Shahade recently published a chess strategy manifesto called Play Like a Girl! The book features advice and tactics from some of the greatest women chess champions of all time. Shahade, a two-time U.S. women’s chess champion herself, said she hopes that the book will inspire young women to pursue chess excellence. She doesn’t only write about her passion to inspire young ladies, she also lives it, providing mentorship to girls in ASAP’s Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge through the 9Queens Chess Academies, which she founded. She also donates her time doing chess simuls at ASAP tournaments, competing against up to 20 Chess Challenge students at one time. She is a good friend to ASAP and the scholastic chess community! To learn more about her new book or purchase a copy, follow this link: http://main.uschess.org/content/view/11039/343

The next 9Queens Chess Academy will take place on February 26th from 2 to 4 pm at the Free Library's Central Branch. Contact Windsor Jordan at wjordan@phillyasap.org for more information.

Spotlight on the Philadelphia Scholastic Chess League: Elementary School West Division

2011-01-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

Each Thursday afternoon, Room 6 at Rudolph Blankenburg School in West Philadelphia undergoes a remarkable transformation. Under the direction of Blankenburg chess coach Mikyel El-Mekki, a cadre of young students re-arranges chairs, unpacks chess sets, and prepares paperwork, converting this grade school science classroom into a makeshift headquarters for the Philadelphia Scholastic Chess League’s Elementary School West division.

The West division, one of three elementary school sections, features monthly matches between chess teams from Blankenburg, F.A. Bregy School, Overbrook Education Center, Powel School, Morton Elementary, and Mitchell School. After regular season play ends in January, the best players and teams in the Elementary, Middle, and High School age brackets gather for a semi-final tournament at Citizens Bank Ballpark, with the winners eventually moving on to a final tournament at the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Students, teachers, coaches, and parents offer high praise for the League, now in its 7th year. Blankenburg science teacher Mrs. Borden notes dramatic shifts in behavior and performance among the chess-playing cohort. “They transform into these chess players,” she said, “They sit there and they’re so into it. I’m thoroughly impressed.” Mrs. Borden also believes that chess helps students with their school assignments.

Mark Scheetz, a teacher and chess coach at Overbrook Education Center, echoes Mrs. Borden. “[Chess] teaches the kids how to think. It teaches them about thinking before you act, and that’s one of the biggest lessons they can learn.”

Daniel, a third-grader at F.A. Bregy, offered his own testimony: “I can learn different strategies in chess like I learn different strategies in school.”

Beyond these academic advantages, nearly every adult associated with the League cites increased concentration and focus as a mainstay in chess’s package of benefits. Joanne Wilson, a grandparent to one of the Bregy students, said that the students who play chess also “learn how to pay attention and focus.” Morton school chess coach Anthony Davis concurred, “Chess brings patience. You have to stop and think when you’re playing.”

The students recognize this crucial component of chess as readily as the adults do. Sydney, a fifth-grader at Blankenburg, said that chess helped her “concentrate more, and think more.”

And fellow fifth-grader Samuel said, “When I used to take a test it would take me an hour because I couldn’t concentrate. Now I can concentrate,” Fourth-grader Deon takes Samuel’s analysis one step further, saying, “In chess you take your time and you have to concentrate.”

In summarizing his attraction to the game, Blankenburg third-grader Bobby shed light on what makes a brain-stimulating game like chess such a great fit for schools and students. “I feel challenged,” Bobby explained, “and I like feeling challenged.”

ASAP Spotlight on Word Wizards Club at Shaw

2010-12-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Every teacher appreciates the “teachable moment.” For Word Wizards Club leader Jeanine Campbell, those moments happen often at Anna H. Shaw Middle School during her literacy club. Recently she incorporated the stylized rapping of the middle school hip hop group “Platinum Eagles” into a class lesson. The other students were transfixed as their peers performed “I’m Still Standing Here,” backed by their own make-shift percussion section of fists, pencils, and desktops.

Their original composition demonstrates an array of linguistic nuances: double entendres, complex rhyme schemes, homophonic manipulation, similes, and metaphors. Campbell recognizes their creative mastery of language: “It’s all about waiting for those teachable moments,” says Campbell, “and communicating your passion.”

Campbell is part of ASAP’s newest initiative, Word Wizards, a network of middle school literacy clubs aimed at improving the reading and writing skills of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable students. At Shaw the program is off to a roaring start.

Martin Jackson, an after school activities coordinator with Lutheran Children and Family Services at Shaw, praised Campbell. “We’ve found that the kids have been engaged…it’s been a controlled environment of learning,” says Jackson, who is so pleased with the program he would like to expand it, “We’ve liked it so much that we would like the rest of our staff to be trained.”

Much of that success can be attributed to Campbell, who tailored the club to fit her students’ collective interest in music. Campbell uses lyrics from hit songs to teach lessons about similes and metaphors, and gives her students articles about popular artists such as Bruno Mars and B.o.B in order to expand their vocabulary.

Campbell noticed that her students “rapped to themselves” and had “notebooks and notebooks” of original lyrics, so she started hosting open mic sessions at the end of each class, encouraging the students to share their talent. “The creative energy is just amazing,” raves Campbell, “It’s inspiring to me.”

Eighth-grader Andrew says the music-themed material captures his attention, “I’m interested in music…I play guitar so I’m interested in learning about other artists.” More than a mere hobby, Andrew says that the music-inspired lessons have helped him during school. “During school last week, I was ahead of the class because it was fresher in my memory.”

Andrew recognizes that he is “going to need these basic skills in the future,” and that it will help him as he applies to special admission high schools like Parkway West and Science Leadership Academy.

For Club Leader Campbell, she just enjoys working with the kids. “They inspire me to come up with new ideas for investigating language every week.”

Spotlight on Debate Team at Science Leadership Academy

2010-12-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

Aren’t teenagers supposed to be self-absorbed, apathetic, and so preoccupied with their own digital worlds that they ignore the real one? Not the teenagers involved in ASAP’s Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League! And especially not the team at Science Leadership Academy (SLA).

In Room 504, the home of the SLA debate team, a group of juniors and seniors gather for their regular debate practice. Friendly disputes erupt over the most mundane matters, and every question prompts a chorus of responses. This band of self-described “arguers” have transformed their aggressive talking into an impressive oratorical résumé, including a recent first place finish at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn for Youth Debate citywide tournament for Seniors Chris Cassise and Andre Serrano, a trip to the famous Bronx Science High School in New York City for a regional tournament, and their most recent title, champions of ASAP’s Philadelphia Scholastic Debate League.

One debater, senior Dominque Miller, participated in a debate camp that took place at the King’s Academy in Jordan. Miller describes her experience in Jordan as eye-opening, saying, “I know it’s a cliché, but [the trip] showed me that I’m like kids from around the country, that we have so much in common. I loved it.”

The team’s success prompted club leader and SLA history teacher Diana Laufenberg to team with Principal Chris Lehmann to offer debate as a half credit elective course. The close-knit group that seems two parts honors English and one part “Glee” meets twice a week in Laufenberg’s room.

Laufenberg adopted the debate team three years ago, taking a team of four and growing it into a 16-student class. Laufenberg had no prior debate experience, but like her argumentative charges, she has a history of “bickering profusely with anyone I’ve ever known.”

Laufenberg sees debate as a great academic tool that encourages swift thinking, “There are very few tasks that force kids to have their mind work quickly.” Laufenberg adds that debate encourages students to do responsible and penetrating research, channel their emotions rationally, and see both sides of a given issue.

Principal Lehmann says that debate harmonizes perfectly with the school’s five core values: inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation and reflection. “The debate program gives the students the confidence that they can make an argument now, that they can take a strong stand...it’s such a natural fit for SLA.”

The students believe debate gives them a more balanced view of the world. “You have to learn to put bias aside,” says Senior Rumman Haq, “I feel like I can argue both sides even if I disagree.”

Senior Marshall Johnston says that he can now “see where others are coming from.” And Junior Rashuan Williams said, “When you argue, you have an emotional attachment, when you debate you have more emotional content.”
Senior Cassise appreciates the research component, noting that debate “changes an argument into an educated discussion.”

“Debate allows you to look at things from a much wider perspective,” says Senior Christine Walden, “It has provided a means for being informed beyond just reading the most recent New York Times article.” The students believe that their participation in debate has heightened their interest in current events. Williams says, “If it’s something I want to know and it comes up on the news I will spend two hours going through the process of researching it.”

This kind of rampant curiosity distinguishes the SLA debaters from their peers, providing a much-needed antidote for the disengaged teens portrayed in the media. Miller exclaims, “I like talking about the Middle East peace process and health care...”

Her mention of health care sparks another heated side discussion. Senior Narcissa Haskins muses, “This would make a great topic…”

Let the debating begin.

Spotlight on Drama Club at Greenfield School

2010-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

As the school day ends, a group of students race from every corner of the building and burst into the auditorium at breakneck speed: 15 impossibly energetic youngsters, ages six through eight, scuttling across the hardwood stage. Club leader Dani Lencioni calmly steps to the front of the pack and, as if yielding a magic wand, utters one word: “neutralize.” All fifteen sets of hands clap twice and the room falls silent. So begins every Tuesday session of the ASAP Drama Club at Albert M. Greenfield School.

Lencioni proceeds to lead the group through lessons filled with wacky games, side-splitting role play, and off-the-wall oral exercises. Second grader Aloshade explains, “When I make my voice very small I sound like a mouse, and when I make my voice really big I sound like a giant!” Hidden in each activity is a different element of Lencioni’s well-planned drama curriculum, one that exposes youth to basic theatrical concepts such as character, story, and voice.

Second-grader Isabella says that she likes rehearsing for plays and all the hard work that it entails. When asked about learning her lines she says, “I say them for three hours and then I memorize them. It’s kind of hard at first, three hours feels like 100 days!” Of course that discipline pays off on opening night when she, “feels relaxed that the play has finally come.” And at Greenfield the play comes more often than not, with four student productions taking place each school year.

Parents and teachers at Greenfield note the students’ overwhelmingly positive response to the school’s two drama clubs. Shameera Simmons, the mother of a second-grader in the club, says that her daughter tugs on her sleeve every Tuesday morning and reminds her, “Mom, Tuesday, drama!” Second grade teacher Mr. Sommerville also sees the club as a motivator for students that “enriches their participation in school.”

Parent Lisa Criniti-Ciervo attests, “The sense of community the program has sparked at Greenfield is incalculable: parents working together on props and costumes; families and peers coming out on performance nights to enjoy the students’ performances…I could go on!”

Principal Dan Lazar concurs: “Being able to offer our students this type of enrichment makes our school a better and safer place…it is evident that the children and community love the program.”

Lencioni sees drama as a spark plug for the students’ imagination, a catalyst that “gets them to use their creativity in new ways.” The students are “learning how to be confident in their bodies and confident in front of others.” In fact, she says that drama club at Greenfield school is all about one word: “confidence.” Well, maybe that and “neutralize.”

Spotlight on ASAP Chess Club Leader

2010-08-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

Gideon School Chess Mentor Program

“It feels good being a mentor,” Says eight-grader Terrell Creighton, “The students look up to me, so I want to do better.” Terrell is one of four Gideon Middle School chess students who are teaching groups of elementary age students the ins and outs of the chess board. The brain child of Gideon Chess Coach Yvonne Laney, the Gideon Chess Mentors program is designed to teach middle school students leadership and responsibility through working with their younger counterparts. “One day, you all can be like Terrell and Jacqueline Ashby and travel to State and National chess tournaments,” Ms. Laney encourages the young chess players.

Today the elementary students are competing in an in-house school tournament under the tutelage of their middle school mentors. Chess at Gideon School has become a point of school and community pride as parents and elementary school teachers gather to cheer for their students. “He has a more positive behavior at home,” Eric Horton Sr. said of his son, “chess has improved his overall attitude.” Third-grade teacher Yvette Brown agrees, “The students in chess are more focused and calm during PSSA testing.”

The success of Gideon’s chess program is the result of more than five years of dedication and hard work on the part of Coach Laney, a school secretary who believed in the power of chess to change lives so much that she started with her own chess equipment. “Chess has not only been good for students in the school, but has also taken our students to other places like Chicago and Tennessee for tournaments,” said the veteran chess coach.

Gideon School’s teachers also understand the benefits. “Chess is fabulous!” says third-grade teacher Alysa Conally, “It helps with problem solving, reading and math skills”.

As the tournament winds down, children shake hands and record their outcomes with Ms. Laney. Second-grader Sariah Thomas-Wallace and her opponent are the last to leave their boards after a hard fought match. Although Sariah lost, her enthusiasm for the game is apparent through her beaming smile. She tells her mother, “I want to teach my whole family how to play chess!”

Spotlight on ASAP Group Volunteering

2010-03-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

Germantown Jewish Centre and Henry School

While ASAP works predominantly with individual volunteers, the organization is also proud to work with groups of volunteers who work collectively at a school. One such example is the partnership between members of the Germantown Jewish Centre and the Henry School. Through ASAP, Germantown Jewish Centre developed a program at Henry in which volunteers from the centre come to the library during the school day to read to first, second, and third grade students. The following are experiences of two volunteers from this unique partnership, Gloria Hoffman and Jessica Lember.

Gloria is a member of Germantown Jewish Center, and this is her second year being involved with the reading program at Henry. She lives in the neighborhood, and wanted to get involved at her local school. She was also particularly driven to work at Henry because she knew the school had a library but no librarian, so very few people were using the space or the books. Gloria has been part of the initiative to start bringing students into the library to listen to volunteers from Germantown Jewish Centre read them stories. The goal is to start using the space, begin to catalog the books in the library, and help students discover the potentials of libraries while developing a love for reading. Gloria loves going through the books that are already in the library to find new works to share with her students in addition to bringing in some of her own favorite children’s literature. Gloria also knows that when the teacher and students get excited about books that are read to them in the library, they will bring those ideas and characters into the classroom. Reading volunteers work to find books that reflect what the kids are already learning in class, so connections are being built between this special story time in the library and the overall curriculum for the students.

Jessica is not a member of the Germantown Jewish Centre, but is now a part of their volunteer group at Henry. She saw an article about the program at a local co-op, and wanted to get involved with the program in order support and get to know her local school. Jessica explains that she was an avid reader as a child, and so children’s literature has grown to be very important to her. Between the stories, the imagination, and the beautiful artwork, Jessica knows that reading to students every week is a way to get them passionate about books. Jessica loves to pick out her own books to read to the students because it’s important to her to find stories that will introduce students to a broad range of ideas. Jessica looks to find diverse themes and characters in order to reflect the diverse population of the student body, and to expose them to new ideas altogether. She knows that students love this opportunity to be read to, especially when she runs into students in the neighborhood and they tell her themselves how much they enjoy it.

ASAP knows that there are unique benefits to volunteering as a group or community in the way that Germantown Jewish Centre works at Henry. As Gloria and Jessica explain, these partnerships draw from local support between involved community members and local schools. It also provides a support network among the group of volunteers so they can help each other and work together in collaboration. ASAP is proud of the work Germantown Jewish Centre is doing and happy to see the students and community members coming together around a common passion – reading!

Spotlight on ASAP High School Club Leader

2010-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Chavonna James

A senior at Mastery Charter, Chavonna James started working with ASAP this year as a community service component of her senior project. However, her work with ASAP was not merely to fulfill a requirement. Chavonna made it clear to ASAP staff that she plans to become a teacher, and she realized being an ASAP club leader would be a fantastic opportunity to learn how to work with students and design weekly lesson plans.

Chavonna has been leading a music club at Harrity Elementary School, where she is teaching students lessons in singing, reading and writing music, and the history of different musical styles. Often, Chavonna brings in her keyboard so the students can work on writing their own song, which they can sing and share with each other.

Recently, Chavonna organzied an American Idol contest at Harrity for the dedicated participants of her club. The students were equipped with yellow tickets and gifts. Each student was given the opportunity to sing a song, and they were graded according to a score sheet that Chavonna designed. Chavonna, her brother Chikezie, and her mother, comprised the panel of judges, and the students eagerly performed their songs for each of them.

Chavonna has been an innovative and commited volunteer, even as a high school student. She is making plans to attend college next year and study education in order to one day be a teacher. From what she has given as an ASAP club leader, it seems certain she will be a wonderful teacher in the future.

Spotlight on ASAP Scrabble Club Leader

2010-01-28T07:46:00.001-08:00

John Green

When John Green isn’t snapping photos of devoted fans at Phillies, Sixers and Flyers games, he can be found coaching Scrabble to elementary school students at Queen Memorial Library and the Youth Study Center each week. By night, John is an official photographer for Fan Photo at sporting events, but by day, he competes in regional Scrabble tournaments and leads two Philly Plays Scrabble clubs for ASAP.

As a lifelong resident of South Philly, John knows first hand the difficult situations that youth in Philadelphia face on a regular basis. John spent several years in jail during his youth, but has since turned his life around and is determined to give back to his community. He hopes to prevent young people from making bad decisions. Through coaching Scrabble he serves as a wonderful role model to students in South Philadelphia and at the Youth Study Center, where juveniles await trial and attend school.

John learned to play Scrabble while he was in jail, and he quickly fell in love with the game since it would always “keep [his] mind flowing.” John now plays in professional Scrabble tournaments all over the United States and has traveled as far as Florida for a competition. With Scrabble having such a positive impact in his own life, John is now bringing the literary and academic benefits of Scrabble to students of all ages through his position as a Scrabble club leader with ASAP. John coaches up to 20 students in a Scrabble club, and the students who arrive are always eager to play and learn with John.

John explained how proud he was to have seen one of his students go on to participate in an ASAP Scrabble tournament, in which she did very well competing against adults. But he always sees success is the decisions his students make about peer pressure.

“When one popular kid doesn’t want to play Scrabble, then other kids won’t want to either. But I tell everyone to be leaders, not followers. I always get them playing.” Whether it’s the decision to play a game of Scrabble, or the decision to stay away from drugs and alcohol, John is actively providing students with positive options and teaching them to be leaders.

Spotlight on ASAP Philly Plays Scrabble Students

2010-01-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

Shakeita Johnson, 12 years old, Smith School

Nashaye Overby, 12 years old, Smith School

Shakeita and Nashaye are both regular participants in John’s Scrabble club at Queen Memorial Library. Shakeita explained that she is there each week because “Scrabble is fun. It helps you learn new words. It also helps you memorize words.”

Nashaye is a fan of the traditional Scrabble board game as well as a Scrabble card game that John has introduced to the club. She likes the fast pace and how it “teaches you how to spell.”

Both girls explained that Scrabble had many benefits in the classroom. “I know more words when I’m reading and writing,” Shakeita says proudly. “And it helps with spelling tests,” Nashaye chimes in. Clearly, being a part of the Scrabble club not only gives them something fun and safe to do, it also provides these students with important academic skills that they can bring into their lives at school.

Spotlight on ASAP Chess Club Leader

2010-01-28T07:18:00.001-08:00

"Mr. Gil" F. Motley
Mr. Gil is a long time ASAP chess club leader, who currently coaches six chess clubs at the EducationWorks after school programs at Hartranft, Clymer, Cleveland, Reynolds, Steel, and Kenderton.
A Vietnam War veteran and former drill sergeant, Mr. Gil began teaching chess to neighborhood kids on his front porch shortly after returning from the war. One young man was invited onto the porch after Gil witnessed him involved in a drug deal on the street. Mr. Gil used the game to make connections between the strategy needed for chess and making good choices in life. The young man went back to school and graduated.

Mr. Gil continues to teach his young students the value of chess and its practical applications. He does this by using the game as a tool to talk about life. And one of chess' invaluable lessons, according to Mr. Gil, is problem solving. Gil teaches students to look at the big picture of chess, identify problems and set up goals and strategies.
"Chess can get kids to learn and think, and that will take them anywhere they want to go." Furthermore, he knows being a part of a chess club gives his students a safe alternative after school. "If I didn't teach them how to play chess, they could be getting into trouble. But instead they are going on to city, state, and even national championships. I'm showing them how they can succeed." Thanks to these experiences, Mr. Gil has seen chess build his students' self esteem and enable them to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Mr. Gil is most proud to impact so many students' lives over the years. He points to one current student, whose grades were slipping and behavior was suffering due to fighting and talking back. Now this young student is a chess state champion, and as a result he's getting better grades and his behavior has improved dramatically. Mr. Gil explains that often schools will reach out to him and ask if he can work with students who have behavior issues, and Mr. Gil is happy to take on a mentoring role by bringing chess into these students' lives. "They calm down and focus with me when I'm consistent. It's critical to be consistent. If I say I'm going to help a student with something, I help them."
Clearly Mr. Gil's consistency and patient teaching skills have made a significant difference in the lives of many Philadelphia students. Here are just some of the wins:

2002-03: Students place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Scholastic Chess League
2003-04: Student places 1st in Scholastic Chess League
2005-06: Team places 1st in Scholastic Chess League
2006-07: Team places 2nd in Scholastic Chess League
2007-08: Club places 1st and Students place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Eagles Chess Tournament. Team places 1st in Scholastic Chess League
2008-09: Team places 2nd in Scholastic Chess League. Team places 2nd in State Championship

Mr. Gil's commitment goes well beyond the chess club as he often spends additional time mentoring and transporting students to important matches and tournaments. ASAP is proud to acknowledge Mr. Gil for his outstanding success as a chess club coach and as our first Club Leader of the Month.

Spotlight on ASAP Chess Challenge Student

2010-01-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Deasean Benschop, 12 years old, Steel Middle School

Deasean is one of Mr. Gil's chess students and state champions. First introduced to the game as a second grader by older students from the chess team, Deasean has been an avid lover of chess since. He explains that chess has helped him to focus in school and taught him how to think ahead and strategize. Most importantly, the game has changed the way he thinks about school and makes decisions. He now compares problems in life to problems on the chessboard. "If I had a test and I didn't study for it, I would realize I made a mistake when I sat down to take the test. It would be like pushing my queen when I should have pushed my pawn. Studying is like pushing a pawn."

Deasean said that being on the chess team has also helped him meet new people. Because he competes in tournaments, he travels throughout the city and state, meeting students from other schools and from other cities.
Deasean wants everyone to know that not only he is proud of being "a chess champion," but his dad is also proud. "Whenever my dad tells other people I'm a chess champion, they are astonished. They know that I've learned how to strategize from playing chess."
Deasean also acknowledged the important role Mr. Gil has played in his chess development and his life. "Mr. Gil is like a father figure. He made me the chess player that I am today. He put strategy in my game."