YPA of New York

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Submit your entry now: [email protected]

The covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on our youth. Many of these youth were already behind. Would you like to be a part of helping them get back on track? Would you like to be a positive role model providing encouragement and guidance? Then join our team of educators and be involved in change.

Do you want to BE INVOLVED in helping our youth succeed? YPA of New York is hiring dedicated individuals to join our growing team of educators.
The goal: Help youth live to their full potential.
If interested, please email resume to: [email protected] and [email protected]

FREE TUTORING & SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAMMING YPA of New York was devestated by the Covid-19 and all services to our youth and community had to stop. While being a small organization that receives no funding from State or Federal sources, Youth Potential Academy was able to provide Free Tutoring Services and ...

RACIST PEOPLE act like they want to be alone in a place designed with BEAUTIFUL DIVERSITY? Racist people are fearful, jealous, and insecure. Let's fight against all hate by being the opposite. Let's honestly review our individual biases that are rooted in fear, jealousy, and lack of understanding. We can easily appreciate diversity in animals, flowers, weather, and cars--but we can't appreciate diversity in humans???

HAVE YOU GRIEVED? HAS CORONA VIRUS TAKEN ANYONE OR ANYTHING FROM YOU?

Take a moment to join House of Rose 'n' the Dark to work through the grief process.
Join this world wide art project where individuals write anonymous thoughts and messages to the people and things lost to the covid-19 pandemic.
Click the link to write your: Letter to Grief.
www.houseofrosenthedark.org/postcard

Is Your Child Frustrated and Failing?
“Things you can do.” “Holding teachers accountable.”

Before the pandemic, many of us were not used to having our children learn from home.
Administrators, teachers, and parents had to adjust quickly. As a result, youth all over the world are falling behind.
We are responsible for meeting the challenges of distance learning and getting our youth back on track!
The best practices in this article are taken from educators all over the world.

Things you can do:

SET EXPECTATIONS - and stick to them! Many times, we as parents find ourselves compromising too often. Their success is our responsibility. Even with work and other obligations, we must find the time to be engaged in their education. Set times of waking up, preparation for school, homework, etc...

CREATE A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - Make their “Learning Space” comfortable, good lighting, and reduce background distractions as much as possible. All needed supplies (Pencils, paper, stencils, etc…) for school should be in this “space”. (Help them customize and personalize their space with props, drawings, pictures, cubby holes, and other unique designs and themes.) Make it their own.

FOLLOW - UP WITH THEIR ASSIGNMENTS - Following up does not mean asking them if they have completed their assignment or activity. It means actually checking it! Schools are using different online platforms and multiple platforms. Learn how to navigate these online platforms. Make sure you have a parental account that details their assignments and progress.

BUILD MOTIVATION - FYI, “You better get your damn homework done now before I knock you upside your head!!!” is not an effective way to build lasting motivation.
Why are they less motivated? What is distracting them? Ask them what they don’t like about home learning. Ask about their challenges. Seek the answers to these questions first. Focus on their strengths and prior accomplishments. Then praise their efforts and tie in your expectations for improvement.

LEARN TOGETHER - Our youth are stressed out too! (Even though they ain’t paying no bills, lol) Seriously though, our youth are missing out on Social and Emotional learning that in-person school provides. Human interaction is important for healthy development. Many youth reported being depressed, difficulty with focus, and a feeling like they don’t have support. Setting aside time together to learn and help them is critical. If they are studying material you don’t understand, find online resources to help them. There is plenty of material and resources available. Home experiments, activities, family reading time, and home talent shows are just a few ways to accomplish this.
REWARD PROGRESS - Reward them for success. Let them know you’re paying attention and value their progress.

HOLDING TEACHERS ACCOUNTABLE

Teachers are human too. They have been challenged adapting to this pandemic. Many teachers NEVER taught remotely in their entire career. A lot of teachers may lack the natural ability to effectively adapt. Nevertheless, they must be held accountable, and there are elements that should be a part of all distant learning classes.

Teachers need to be enthusiastic and present.

Online platforms should be used to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. (Intro’s, music, colors, design, graphics, animations, etc…) It’s already a bore to sit and stare at a screen all day. Imagine a monotonous digital classroom.

Course management should include the establishment of routines, expectations, follow-ups, parental contact, and clearly communicated expectations. If you do not have direct contact with all of your child’s teachers--get it! Attend intervention and parent / teacher conferences as your voice and concerns matter. We must come be more involved!

Feedback in a supportive and timely manner. Our youth have questions and need extra attention. Teachers should build an environment that fosters space for questions and explanations in a timely manner as much as possible considering the limitations.

If your child has an IEP and requires additional accommodations and NOT getting them, start with this link for more information on how to obtain the needed accommodations.

I hope this information was helpful. For more information check us out at: www.ypany.org and Like us on Facebook and Instagram.

YPA of New York
“Guiding Their Potential Today, So They Can Fulfill Their Purpose Tomorrow”

Additional Information:

Distant Learning Resource Center
https://education-reimagined.org/

Strategies for Effective Distant Learning
https://www.edutopia.org/article/6-strategies-successful-distance-learning

Guide to Home Experiments
https://www.parents.com/kids/education/math-and-science/everyday-science-experiments/

Social and Emotional Support for Our Youth
www.casel.org

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

YPA of New York invites you to celebrate and nominate a woman you know... Our everyday Queens in addition to those women we acknowledge every year.

THE CHALLENGE:
1. Reply to this post by submitting a picture of that special woman in your life.
2. Give a brief history of their greatness.
3. Let us celebrate them in action.

WOMAN in Picture:
LILLIAN BOWENS
aka "Diamond Lil", aka my "Mommy", aka my grandmother.

She stopped her life to raise my brother and I at the age 51. Taught me respect, hard work, and the power in relying on God through prayer. She was blameless and one of the strongest women I know. Even though we were poor and struggled. She got up every morning... We had food... We had clothing. Mommy always found a way. She cried in prayer. She beat the s out of me when I did wrong. And, she showed me true love. I miss her, I Love her... She is my nominee this year.

The abrupt discontinuation of Youth Potential Academy’s services and communications was due in part because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Director getting sick, mental health, and other personal issues. The Director is healing with the aid of professional help and we are supportive of his speedy recovery. We apologize for the shortcomings of the organization you expressed faith and belief in through your time and dedication. We apologize for any inconvenience Youth Potential Academy may have caused. We still believe in the Mission and Vision of Youth Potential Academy, Inc. We still believe in God’s Purpose for this organization. And, we hope that you join us again as we revamp and restart programs and services for 2021.
Our Mission is the same, yet our phone number and fax numbers have changed. We are also launching our new YPA of New York Mobile App soon available on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Our new Phone: (718) 362-3034 Fax: (718) 663-7156 Website: www.ypany.org