Three days a week the energy at St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral is charged with excitement and anticipation as students eagerly await their opportunity to head down to the woodshop room where “Mr. Frank & Ms. Gay” from Building Futures awaits with a new lesson and a new project.

Mr. Frank, whose real name is Frank Lorberbaum, is an architect/builder. He established Building Futures with Gay Lorberbaum, a professor at Washington University and fellow architect, in 2012 to teach students how to invent, create, and make projects with their hands while learning complex problem solving skills and building self-esteem.

“Building Futures is a curriculum-based program that uses a student’s critical thinking skills to build furniture scale projects,” said Lorberbaum. “Yes, they learn how to use power tools, but before they get to use these tools, they must strategically plan their projects using communication, science, and mathematics skills.”

Specifically, during the design process, students begin developing a model of their project which will then be presented and discussed among the class. The group then discusses if and how the project’s design will work. Once approved, the students will then convert the model into a full-scale size object.

“Building Features was chosen as an academy program to enhance students’ critical thinking skills, and the outcome of the program has been nothing but positive from students and their classroom teachers,” said Joslyn Sandford, Graduate Support Specialist at St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral.

At. St. Louis the King, projects range in size and capabilities. From classroom chairs to desks and shelves, students work with their homeroom teachers to decide what is needed for their classrooms and school.

“The look of excitement and accomplishment on the students face after they have built a project is the best feeling ever. The students can’t wait to show and tell you about the project which lets me know they are enjoying themselves!” Added Sandford.

Building Futures is taught over a 40 week period at St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral. To learn more information about Building Futures, please visit http://building-futures.org/. For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for ACCESS Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639.

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ACCESS proudly provides the following resources for students and their families. Check back often as new resources are added often!

Middle School

• Parent’s Guide to Making the Move to Middle School
• Parent’s Guide: Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence
• Parent’s Guide: Helping Your Child with Homework
• Preparing for Middle School
• 7 Steps to Succeeding in Middle School
•  Managing the Middle School Years
• How To Fit In When You’re In Middle School

6^th Grade

• What to Expect: 6^th Grade Academics
• What to Expect: 6^th Grade Social Changes

7^th Grade

• What to Expect: 7^th Grade Academics
• What to Expect: 7^th Grade Social Changes

8^th Grade

• What to Expect: 8^th Grade Academics
• What to Expect: 8^th Grade Social Changes

High School

• Preparing for High School
• High School Time Management: The Have-To’s, the Want-To’s and Goals
• Fitting in the Social Scene in High School
• 9^th Grade Checklist: Academic and Financial Preparation
• 10^th Grade Checklist: Academic and Financial Preparation
• 11^th Grade Checklist: Academic and Financial Preparation
• 12^th Grade Checklist: Academic and Financial Preparation

College Planning

• Scholarship Opportunities
• FAFSA Support and Applications
• College Preparation Checklist
• Choosing a Career

ACCESS would like to congratulate the 37 Academy students at St. Cecilia who made the Honor Roll for the first semester!

2014 – 15 First Quarter Honor Roll

1^st Honors – 3.5 +

8^th Grade

• Carley B.
• Yesenia G.
• Samantha H.
• Christian M.
• Maria P.
• Brenda S.-R.
• Frieda V.

7^th Grade

• Harry B.
• Abby B.
• Raphael M.
• Gretchen M.
• Manuel O.
• Andrea S.-R.
• Humberto V.

6^th Grade

• Ian B.
• Cassie H.
• Noelle H.
• Manny N.
• Aaron T.
• Alex V.
• Leslie V.

 

2014 – 15 First Quarter Honor Roll

2^nd Honors – 3.0 – 3.49

8^th Grade

• Omar C.
• Monique G.
• Carrie J.
• Michel Q.
• Jeezel V.

7^th Grade

• Heavyn B.
• Jordyn H.
• Fernando M.
• Susi N.
• Benjamin T.
• Christian Z.

6^th Grade

• Miguel A.
• Elian D.
• Karina G.
• Jasmine M.
• Esmeralda R.

 

Betsy Liberatore Appointed as Interim Director of ACCESS Academies

ST. LOUIS, MO. October 23, 2014- Mrs. Betsy Liberatore has been appointed the Interim Director of ACCESS Academies. She replaces Blake Youde who stepped down as the Executive Director in September.

Liberatore, who has served as ACCESS’ Event Director since 2011, has helped to raise over $1,570,000 in high school tuition dollars for NativityMiguel students. Previously, she has held a variety of leadership roles including Executive Director of the Saint Louis Ambassadors, Inc.

“Betsy has done an outstanding job for ACCESS Academies, and will continue her focus on fundraising efforts,” said John Vatterott, chairman of the Board of Directors.

ACCESS Academies provides a unique college preparatory education for economically and/or socially disadvantaged students in under-represented neighborhoods through the St. Louis NativityMiguel Model of Education program, which:

• Extends the school day and school year from 6-8th grade to provide additional academic support. This includes a robust academic curriculum, homework assistance, service projects, and enrichment.
• Encourages family involvement to further support the physical, social, emotional, and academic well-being of each student.
• Eases the transition to high school and into college through graduate support. This includes, but not limited to, tutoring, mentoring, academic scholarships, and monitoring each student’s individual academic growth and achievement through high school and into college.

Currently ACCESS serves more than 135 middle school students at three Archdiocesan partner schools, and over 215 NativityMiguel graduates at more than 20 college-preparatory high schools in St. Louis. Since its inception in 2005, more than 600 students have benefitted for ACCESS’ services.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for ACCESS Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639.

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

ACCESS is at the threshold of monumental growth, and faced with many opportunities to not only expand operations, but the number of students served. To say it is an exciting time would be an understatement, and I am thankful to be a part of this strong team of leadership as we move forward.

First off, the 2014-15 school year is about to begin, and the principals, academy directors, faculty, and staff at our three Archdiocesan partner schools are readying their buildings. Their leadership is monumental in the academic, emotional and spiritual success of our students, and I urge everyone to lend a hand during this critical time by volunteering to help set up classrooms and the grounds for new and returning students.

Secondly, as many of you have heard, Blake Youde, our Executive Director, is moving to Boise, Idaho, to tend to personal family matters. We have begun the necessary search to find his replacement, and thank Blake for his dedication and leadership to ACCESS as well as our students. Blake’s last day will be September 30^th; however, in the meantime, we will be conducting a thorough search to find our new Executive Director. The search will be multi-faceted, and include several interviews and reference checks. Click here to read the job description.

The Board of Directors expects the transition in leadership to be smooth as we remain very involved in the daily operations of ACCESS, and will be guiding the new Executive Director through his/her introduction and establishment. We would also like to note that the team of Carolyn Dubuque, Betsy Liberatore, and Julie Linder will continue to serve in their official roles as main office support for ACCESS.

Thank you for your encouragement during this period of change, growth, and opportunity. Should you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to call (314)898-0430.

Sincerely,

John Vatterott
Chairman, Board of Directors
ACCESS Academies

ACCESS Academies Welcomes New Graduate Support Specialist at Most Holy Trinity School & Academy

ACCESS Academies would like to welcome Nicholas McDowell as the Graduate Support Specialist for Most Holy Trinity School and Academy. He will serve students in grades 6-12.

Through the NativityMiguel Model of Education program, McDowell will play a critical role in the extended school day program at the middle school level. He will also provide tutoring, mentoring, tuition assistance, counseling and other forms of assistance to graduates through their high school years.

“Advocating for students and their families has been a passion of mine throughout my professional career. I didn’t have someone looking out for me while I was in school, and it was challenging. I wanted to go to college, but didn’t know how to get there,” he said.

Professionally, McDowell has worked for non-profits for the past ten years. Most recently, he worked as an after school director for Provident Counseling to improve the mental and behavioral health of school-aged children in urban settings. A former semi-professional football player for Gateway Soul and the St. Louis Saints, he also coached youth-aged sports, which gave him the opportunity to build relationships with kids while setting boundaries and earning respect as a mentor.

“Nick has served as a substitute teacher and volunteer over the past year at Most Holy Trinity. In that time, he has built a great relationship with the students and their families. They respect him, but more importantly, they trust he will advocate for their children,” said Jessica Kilmade, principal.

McDowell began work officially June 2 with the kickoff of the extended school year program, but hit the ground running before that date by cheering 8^th graders at their graduation ceremony before taking them to Six Flags. He also has called, mailed letters, and made personal introductions to the high school students. He currently is assisting with building renovations at Most Holy Trinity while simultaneously working the extended school year program and the week-long Summer Scholars program at St. Louis University.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Communications Director of ACCESS Academies, by calling (573) 2658-0639.

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