Bridge

theBreakthrough

All the latest breakthroughs from Breakthrough Manchester!

Breakthrough Manchester is a year-round, tuition-free academic program whose mission is to help promising middle school students, particularly those with limited opportunities, build skills and confidence to enter and succeed in college preparatory high school programs while inspiring talented high school and college students to pursue careers in education.

Breakthrough Manchester is a proud member of the Breakthrough Collaborative, a network of sites that boldly envisions a day when all children will have access to excellent educational opportuni-ties. Originally founded in 1978, Breakthrough sites in 29 cities across America touch the lives of thousands of youth through the “students teaching students” model.

The Derryfield School has been Breakthrough Manchester’s most important partner and home since the program’s inception in 1991.

Breakthrough’s StaffKate Erskine, DirectorTrevor Munhall, Asst. DirectorBernadette Robinson, Student & Family Services CoordinatorTina Govatos, Alumni Coordinator & Administrative Asst.Laura Noyes Zahn, Development Associate

s = BTM student, graduation yearsy = school year teacher,

years taughtf = summer faculty member,

years taught

Breakthrough Manchesterat The Derryfield School

(formerly Summerbridge)2108 River Road

Manchester, NH 03104www.breakthroughmanchester.org

Ph: 603/641-9426Fax: 603/641-9521

Spring 2008 Volume 2, Issue 1

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 1

Eighth Graders Raise Funds for Animal Shelterdemonstrated the rapid growth in the animal population if just one dog or cat is not spayed or neutered. Raffle prizes included donated gift baskets from Petco, handmade jewelry, a gift certificate to a local restaurant and bowling passes.

Students collected $403.66, which will spay or neuter five animals at the ARL, as well as pet supplies and food donated by those in attendance. Melissa Cabrera remarked, “I felt like helping someone in the community was really important. I feel good that we put it all together ourselves.”

The service learning project incorporated the skills and leadership characteristics that the program is designed to address to prepare students for high school. The eighth grade year is optional at Breakthrough Manchester, but those who participate find it to be a valuable and fun experience. When asked what he would say to encourage future eighth graders to be involved the school year program, Jon Ericksen explained, “It’s wicked fun and it helps me with what I am doing in school and with important skills that I need, like public speaking.” We could not have said it better, Jon.

A major part of the eighth grade program at Breakthrough is a service learning project designed

to help students understand and address a specific community concern. Amelia Marden’s (sy’05-08; f ’07) eighth grade class at School After School chose to serve the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (ARL). After a tour of the shelter and a meeting with Robin Ahlgren, ARL’s Director of Development & Community Outreach, students learned that pet population control is a critical issue in the area and places a strain on shelters around the state. Eighth graders Melissa Cabrera, H.R. Droge, Jon Ericksen, J.B. Muyuka-Lisika and Nicole Pius got right to work planning their project. The group worked for eight weeks, including time during their school vacation to plan a fundraiser that would also increase awareness of the benefits of spaying and neutering pets.

The evening event included a brief presentation by Diane Frost, the Humane Educator at the ARL and her dog, Molly, a showing of the film, Ratatouille, and a presentation by the eighth graders that

Above: Nicole Pius [s ‘12] and H.R. Droge [s ‘12] explain the importance of pet population control.

2 Spring 2008

Director’s ColumnKate Erskine, Director

Embracing change can be difficult, even in a community that thrives on fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. While name changes through mergers and acquisitions in the corporate world are part of the territory, switching over to Breakthrough felt like a big deal in our small, tight-knit community. A name is one of the most personal things to us as people – it defines our identity.

As we began the name change process, asking hundreds of people to think twice about the name “Breakthrough” seemed daunting. Talking about the program is second nature to so many people. It is heartening to see members of the Breakthrough, Derryfield, and Manchester communities embracing and using the new name as if we had always been Breakthrough Manchester.

We are well-known in Manchester because of the hard work of so many people over the last 18 years. Although we’re all still getting used to the sound of “Breakthrough Manchester,” it is clear that this community not only recognizes our program, but supports it as strongly as ever.

The Breakthrough Manchester team proudly displays the four parts of the new logo.

It’s never too early to begin thinking ahead — this could be the mantra of any Break-

through student, and this year, 47 outstanding new students will begin the seven-year expe-rience they have ahead of them on the path to college. While this class recognizes that challenges are in store for them, they have big dreams about going to college. And though most of them - nearly 80% - will be the first in their families to attend college, they are eager to begin their Breakthrough experience and make the most of their education. This sum-mer, they join the class of 2014, along with 30 outstanding high school and college students from around the nation to create a summer filled with rigorous learning, exciting discov-ery and new opportunities for personal and academic growth. With excellent teacher and peer role models, this class is poised for success!

Class of 2015 sets sights on College

Class of 2015 Stats

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 3

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College Acceptances Roll In for Seniors!

The Breakthrough class of 2008 is looking forward to the fall when they will head off to their first year of college! We are proud of their hard work in the seven years since they began Breakthrough as fifth graders, way back in the summer of 2001.

Below is a partial list of colleges and universities that have accepted Breakthrough seniors this year. This list is a testament to the amazing success of these remarkable high school graduates:

Boston UniversityColby Sawyer College

College of the Holy CrossDuke University

Franklin & Marshall CollegeGeorge Washington University

Gettysburg CollegeHofstra University

New York UniversityNortheastern University

Plymouth State UniversityQueens College (NY)

Regis CollegeRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rochester Institute of TechnologySt. Anselm CollegeStonehill CollegeSuffolk University

Trinity CollegeUniversity of Florida

University of New HampshireUniversity of Pittsburgh

Yale University

CongratulationsClass of 2008!

Breakthrough lost a friend and advocate in March. Frances Shaine was an outspoken advo-cate for children and education. Teachers will remember the pool parties the Shaines have hosted every summer to celebrate the end of Training Week. Frances and her husband, Bob, have helped dozens of Breakthrough students over the years in seeking financial aid and scholarships for college. Two of those students, Khiet [s’05, sy ‘03-05] and Dieu Thi Nguyen [s’03, f ‘04], spoke at her memorial service. Khiet eulogized, “I could always trust Mrs. Shaine to be there to offer words of encouragement and support for our academic en-deavors. Mrs. Shaine was a strong, intelligent, and caring person whose life was dedicated to her family and her community.” Frances, your friends at Breakthrough will miss you.

www...New Ways to Find Breakthrough on the Web

www.breakthroughmanchester.org Our virtual home. Watch for our exciting new site coming this year!breakthroughmanchester.smugmug.com Our online photo gallery is updated regularly.www.facebook.com Join the alumni Facebook group or become a fan of Breakthrough Manchester.www.teachbreakthroughs.org Subscribe to the National Breakthrough teacher blog. www.breakthroughcollaborative.org Find out more about this national movement in education.Right: Ben Russell

[sy ‘97-98, f ‘93-96, ‘98-99] and Laura Noyes Zahn [f ‘92,

‘94-95] with former BTM Director

Natalie Koepp Gray and her

family at Winter Celebration.

In Memoriam

Alumni PerspectiveRory Dorman Tira [f ‘91-92] was among the first Breakthrough teach-ers in 1991. Today, as a professional teacher, she reflects:

“From a distance of years and many miles, I remain so proud of my first

association there and inspired by the work that has gone on since. The stories and names of some of the first kids remain crystal clear to me. I remember meeting the bus the very first morning, the very first summer to ride with the kids from their school pick-up to Derryfield. I’ve been in the classroom ever since and hundreds of teenagers later, those kids on that bus are still what it’s all about. I still have the 1991 faculty tee-shirt. You’ll never see that on eBay.”

Below: Maeghan Provencher [s ‘10, sy ‘07-08] and Akash Vadalia [sy ‘05-08] help Madison Platte [s ‘14] with a work-sheet during the school year. Our 3:1 student teacher ratio allows students to strong academic support models.

4 Spring 2008

School YearSchool Year Teacher Volunteers

Breakthrough teachers log between 80 and 150 hours of volunteer work putting together exciting academic programs for students during the school year.

Central High SchoolMelissa Cail [s ‘09]Binh Doan [s ‘08]

Nihco GalloDaisy Jacquez [s ‘11]Tiffany Waters [s ‘08]

The Derryfield SchoolLauren Bradley [s ‘09]

Nick BryanLeah Burke

Dan CarlsonMickey Cunliffe

Kerlyne Desire [s ‘08]Justin EldridgeErin FergusonAllison Fink

Katherine GrisanzioDaniel Jin

Kemal KadicRose King

Hannah LeBlancJulia Maldonado [s ‘08]

Kadina Mazic [s ‘10]Philip Melanson

Drew MokasMaeghan Provencher [s ‘10]

Anne RynearsonKelly SchwarzElise Shattuck

Kate StoverMike Swartz

Akash VadaliaHannah Wilson

John Stark Regional High SchoolMeagan Paris [s ‘10]

Memorial High SchoolLiz Adeeko [s ‘08]

Fedeline Desire [s ‘09]Autumn Gaska [s ‘08]

Ha Hoang [s ‘08]

Trinity High SchoolMaddy Walsh

Manchester High School WestErick Daniszewski

Josh Dolman [s ‘09]Molly EckelDani Ithier

Etana JacobiSam Leger

Amelia Marden

Making Connections at School After School

Playing off of last year’s successful interdisciplinary approach to skill development and enrichment, the School After School curriculum continued to engage students

with integrated learning activities.

During the winter term, students focused on the theme of power in all its definitions. They studied the science of power generation, examining the impact of fossil fuels and

the viability of renewable energy sources. Taking the topic in a different direction, classes also researched and debated the power of persuasion within the realm of global politics, studying great speakers such as Martin Luther King Jr. as well as ruthless despots like Adolf Hitler.

In the first half of the spring, students explored what makes an ideal city. One of the ways they accessed information about urban planning was by using Google Earth to see how culture, geography, and economics play a role in urban growth. They applied their knowledge to a walking tour of downtown Manchester, seeking out examples of commerce, culture, recreation, transportation, and government services in their hometown. In their final presentations, students had a new sense of the city’s strengths, as well as recommendations for making Manchester a more ideal city.

Teachers closed the final weeks of the year with self-designed units that students chose from. Topics included paleontology, American Sign Language, forensic science, and business.

Student & Teacher Feedback:“I have loved my two years at School After School so far and can’t wait to come back for the eighth grade program!” Brianna Smith [s ‘13]

“I learned things at School After School that when I mentioned them to my teachers at school, they were very surprised.” Edit Hamidovic [s ‘13]

“The most memorable moment was when we put on a play about earthquakes during the power unit.” Joey Riley [s ‘14]

“Some of my proudest moments were when I was able to see students being active and enjoying the different lessons that I prepared.” Ha Hoang [s ‘08, sy ‘06-08, f ‘05-07]

Top: Students pose in Victory Park after their walking tours of Manchester. Above: Sixth graders watch Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in Binh Doan’s [s ‘08, sy ‘04-08] class.

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 5

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Round-Up The Talent Behind the Teachers:

Mentor TeachersPutting together an energetic, skill-based learning environment each year is no easy task. Mentor Teachers are the key ingredient for success in working with high schoolers who have little to no teaching experience before they come to Breakthrough. These professional educators train, observe, and give feedback to Breakthrough teachers, helping them hone their teaching abilities. They balance teacher autonomy and creativity with practical study skills and teaching methodology that will ensure student achievement.

Linda MandraIn her six years as a Mentor teacher, Linda has worked with more than 100 Breakthrough teachers at School After School and during the summer. When she is not at Breakthrough, she co-coordinates the gifted and talented program for the Manchester School District.

Sandy TownsendSandy brings her career as a Derryfield French teacher and her life-long love of learning to School After School where she has mentored for three years. She exudes a passion for knowledge and teaching that inspires and instructs School After School teachers.

Reina ReidyIn the program’s first year with a Breakthrough Saturday Mentor Teacher, Reina has proved an invaluable resource for teachers in this role. She guides teachers as they develop the workshops that will inspire and inform students. Reina is a Spanish teacher at The Derryfield School.

Limitless Learning at Breakthrough SaturdaysNovember: Political CampaignsCreating a campaign and holding elec-tions were met with enthusiasm from the students as they tried to win their presi-dential debate. Their campaign platforms focused on improvements they could make to middle schools. Pictured: Con-nal West [s ‘14] and Kenneth Fox [s ‘13] rap their slogan, “Vote for Noah!”

December: PolymersAh, the little things that hold us all togeth-er. Not many topics can easily connect biology, chemistry, and physics all into one cohesive lesson, but polymers did the trick! Pictured: Melissa Cabrera [s ‘12] and Rebecca Alvarez [s ‘14] show off the foamy synthetic polymer they created in the chemistry workshop.

January: Musical TheatrePutting together a musical production is no easy task as students discovered. Stu-dents experienced everything from acting to costumes and make-up, and making playbills. Pictured: Jessica Katiaj [s ‘14], Sherma Desire [s ‘14] and Ajok Akot [s ‘14] perform a scene they came up with in the acting session.

April: Storytelling & Quest CycleBy looking at archetypes students discov-ered patterns in how stories are con-structed. This served students well when it came to identifying heroes and villains in well-known tales. Pictured: Etana Jacobi [sy ‘05-08, f ‘07] and Allison Fink [sy ‘05-08, f ‘07] touch up some face paint before the storytelling begins.

May: Math in Everyday LifeWhat do shooting basketballs, bak-ing cookies, replicating cartoons, and composing music all have in common? As students discovered in various hands-on workshops, they all involve fractions! Pic-tured: Dan Jin [sy ‘07-08] checks Abdul Kanu’s [s ‘14] fraction conversions in the cooking workshop.

Breakthrough Contributor UpdateThank you to the following community members who have already made their gifts toward the 2007-2008 Breakthrough Manchester Annual Fund as of May 15, 2008. It’s not too late to help make breakthroughs happen this year — make your gift by June 30!Breakthrough Annual FundAnonymous (2)Vincent and Anne AliottaDebra J. AllenFrank and E. Diane AllenRonald and Andrea BarkleySusan and Martin BaroffSusan E. Beaudry Brad and Linda BensonBruce and Becky BerkBill and Sue BirchardChris T. BissonnetteJohn and Effie BlecatsisMatthew Boelig Rolando Bonachea and Nancy

Efferson-BonacheaJohn and Carrie BoutonBreakthrough CollaborativeBreakthrough Work-a-thonBarry and Caryl BrensingerJohn and Isabelle BryanLeah Burke Amanda Cail Melissa Cail Mary Halpin Carter and Christopher

H. M. CarterAlexander Chan Danielle M. ChandonnetEric Chang Sarah Chang Candy ChaplinBob and Chris ChinMichael and Chris CikaczKierston Coke Mickey Cunliffe Katya and Ian Czaja

Sara Dewey Phuoc and Xuan DoanCynthia J. DobbinDavid and Diane DonahueNigel and Celia DonovanGerald and Rochelle DuretteKathy and Dick ErskineKate ErskineLori EvansElspeth Faiman Neil Faiman and Lynne PentlerFerlins FoundationCraig and Jeanine FinefrockKevin Finefrock Yetta FinkEsther FishmanTerry and Bonnie FlahiveJim and Lisa FlemingErin and Jeffrey FogelEileen Beckhardt FreedmanBennett FreemanRobin GaleazArthur Getz Foundation, RBS

Citizens, NA, TrusteeBill and Kath GillettMarco Gonzalez Mr. and Mrs. David P. GoodwinGary and Gail GordonGrayson and Jon GovatosNatalie and James GrayKenneth and Nicole GrinnellBill and Maria GrisanzioDavid and Barbara HaightJonathan Hall Alice and Brian HandwerkKate Hanna, Hale and Hanna

Melnick

Mark Harrold Elliott Berry and Campbell HarveyMeggie Harvey Connor Haugh and Andree PhillipsDavid Henry Heritage United WayElise and James HoodEdith and Bob HoulihanWill, Lisha, Elizabeth & Abigail

Hunter Marcus and Pat HurlbutBrenna Jenny Meredith Love Johnson

Dorothy JolinHoward and Janet KeeganElena Kennedy Joannie KrohnJim and Laurie LampDavid and Norma Jean LarriveePatrick and Cecile LeblancPaul LeBlanc and Patricia FindlenJulia Lehman Donna K. LenckiRobert Levine and Rebecca KadishElaine Lewinnek Tricia H. Lucas and John E. Lucas

6 Spring 2008

Derryfield Parent Auction Raises $29k for BreakthroughThis year’s annual auction hosted by The Derryfield School Parent/Faculty Association

raised $29,250 toward student program tuitions. Sixth grader, M.J. Ortega described his experience as a Breakthrough student to the audience:

“Before I applied to Breakthrough, I was planning to hang out all summer, go to Hampton Beach and listen to music with my cousin.

I was planning to have fun, basically. Homework? In the summer? But then, I thought about how Breakthrough could help me. My mom and cousin encouraged me to go, so I decided to give it a shot. At Breakthrough, my teachers helped me to understand what I was learning, step-by-step. My math teacher, Andrew, helped me to understand positive and negative numbers, and he even made up a

dance to help my class understand. I finally got it! My advisor, Mark, was always encouraging me to do my best and to never give up. All my teachers gave me the help I needed when I needed it.”

Maria Cervantes [s ‘12], Kerlyne Desire [s ‘08, sy ‘05-08, t ‘07], and Juan Zamudio [s ‘14] attended the Jayme’s Fund for Social Justice annual benefit concert at Pinkerton Academy in April. Jayme’s Fund continues to be a strong Breakthrough supporter.

Phil and Judy RyanAlana Ryder Drew Samuels Dick and Anne Marie

SamuelsMinoru SatohSara Schwartz Kelly Schwarz Joel Schwelling and Joan

IzenCraig and Cary SellersLes and Yvonne SimonKathleen and Danny SimsChris Slusher and

Barinder AhluwaliaEarl “Bud” Smith Scholarship FundDavid G. StahlNancy W. StearnsErin Stiling Matthew Stover and Elizabeth

RichterMike Swartz Mr. and Mrs. William C. TallmanJason Tarricone TD Banknorth Charitable

FoundationNancy E. TessierSam K. Theodosopoulos Justin Thibeault Julia G. Townsend Torrey E. Townsend Akash Vadalia The VanArsdale Dewey FamilyJoel and Felicia VargasDouglas and September VossDiane and Glen WallWeyerhaeuser Company FoundationRichard and Frances WinnegKimon and Anne ZachosLaura Noyes Zahn Peter and Cara Zohdi

Inspiring Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Teachers 7

donor spotlight

TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation has been a faithful supporter of Breakthrough Man-chester since 1994 (formerly as Bank of New Hampshire). Every year, the Foundation spon-sors two Breakthrough students for the entire school year, including the six-week summer session, Breakthrough Saturdays, School after School, and all of the special events and support that are part of the Breakthrough experience. The TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation shares Breakthrough’s commitment to youth development by supporting initiatives which help young people, advocating for partnerships among youth, parents, and community agen-cies, and preparing young people with practical life skills. Breakthrough Manchester is grateful to TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation for its investment in Breakthrough students and for its leadership in the community as a Breakthrough supporter.

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Breakthrough Alumni Invest in

Success

An important donor group for Breakthrough continues to be its student and teacher alumni. The number of these young people who contribute to the Annual Fund grows every year. They know first-hand the power of students-teaching-students and their gifts help ensure that future generations of young people are able to teach and learn at Breakthrough. Look for the logo next to their names on these pages. So far this year, 53 Breakthrough alums have sent their donations!

Phuong Luong Chris MacLean William Matsuzaki James McCoy and Allison NussbaumBob and Holly McKinneyRoss and Kenna McLeodGreg and Jennifer MelkonianShep Melnick and Joanne LindenMerchantBanc Digital Divide

Education Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Manchester Region

Kristin Migliori Renee MillerAnne D. MilneWalter and Kristen MilneCarlos and Ingrid MonzonCarol Morin and Linda RiedleScott and Pamela MosenthalRaymond and Marlene MossKyle and Glenda NagelSusanna Matsen Nazarian Paul and Joan NewcombEmily Newick Charlie Northrup and Camille

Triola-NorthrupCharles O’Leary and Mary Ann

TiltonMeagan Paris Timothy and Pamela ParisTara M. PayneRichard and Elaine PierceJeffrey M. PollockStephanie L. Pollock Daniel C. and Lucy S. PotterBrent and Wendy PowellMike and Deanna PowellKevin ProvencherRay ProvencherSteve Reichheld and Deb

De BeradinisElizabeth Richey John and Deborah RicheyKate Richey Charles and Karen RolecekMichael and Janice RomanowskyBenjamin Russell

Elkin Teaching FellowshipStephen Elkin Pauline ElkinDenny and Maureen RyanNancy W. Stearns

Joel Vargas Achievement FundBarry and Caryl BrensingerKate ErskineJoyia Rich Fazelat Craig and Jeanine FinefrockMs. Joyce FoxRobert and Barbara FoxRhiannon J. Jordan-Woodbury Jane and Brian McCoyHerbert and Joyanne RobinsonDenny and Maureen RyanMr. and Mrs. William W. SchweitzerNancy W. Stearns

Breakthrough EndowmentKate Hurlbut Chappell Mrs. Diana Fay HarrisonBenjamin Russell Nancy W. StearnsMatthew Stover and

Elizabeth RichterRory Dorman Tira Dr. and Mrs. Louis J.

Venuto

Breakthrough is still

$18,000 away from reaching

it’s 2007-2008 Annual

Fund Goal. Help us meet

our goal!

Sukhi Dhillon [s ‘14], Jack Howard [s ‘14], and Maria Beltran [s ‘14] discover how organic polymers work as teacher Mickey Cunliffe [sy ‘07-08] watches.

Please notify us of errors or omissions at 603/641-9426 or

kerskine@derryfield.org.

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Manchester2108 River RoadManchester, NH 03104-1396

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaidManchester, NHPermit No. 290

Experience the magic of Breakthrough Manchester at

Visitors’ Days 2008!Choose a time to

see our students in action this summer:

Thursday, July 24, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.Tuesday, July 29,

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

RSVP to 603/641-9426 or kerskine@derryfield.org