CS112 and FOOTPRINTZ ACADEMY

As a comprehensive after school program we pride ourselves on working with many of the so called "at risk" students / schools.  Our goal is to provide students with a challenging yet fun program that is based upon fundamentals and discipline.  Whether the sport is basketball, jump rope, and /or soccer - we look to provide students with detailed teachings that are centered around development.

One of our goals within our program is to increase the student attendance percentage of the schools we work with.  Through our partnership with Fordham University, we work closely with schools within the Bronx where we have seen an increase in ALL of our schools since September 2016.  One of the schools that we are most proud of is CS112 led by Principal Barnes.  She with the support of schools' administration / staff as well as many CBO organizations have increased the school's overall attendance 5%, however, classes that we directly work with 3-130, 4-319, 5-313 have increased on average of 10% compared to April 2015. 

In short, our goal is to offer quality and safe programming that provides students of CS112 with an incentive to come to school while offering opportunities to enhance their "social soft skills" as well as increase their basketball development in a fun yet challenging manner.

We would like to thank Principal Barnes (and STAFF), Lou Ramunni, Dr. Batisti and the entire Fordham University staff.

BUSINESS CARD CONTEST

As part of our common core aligned programming we created a contest for the MS331 students.  

PROJECT: Each students was asked to create a basketball slogan that best suits their  outlook on the sport and how basketball provides necessary life lessons.

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:   Contest open to all Saturday enrichment program students.

SELECTED SLOGAN:  Placed on FOOTPRINTZ Basketball Academy staff members' business cards where the the student's message will be on display for the WORLD.

"When you are trying to be BALLERS do not forget to SUPER SCHOLARS" - BRAYAN ANAMAN

"When you playing ball stop trying to be an IDOL you start by just being a MODEL" - BRAYAN ANAMAN

Lehman College + CS 112 (Bronx, NY)

 

There is a growing consensus that America's students are ill prepared to compete in a world that demands more than just basic skills.  Today, about a third of American students require remedial education prior to their first year in college and current college attainment rates are not keeping pace with our country's projected workforce needs.  

Moreover, America-once the global leader in college completion - now ranks 12th in completion rates for young adults.  Therefore, educators, governors, business leaders and parents have called for reform in education that will help students succeed in a world of unprecedented connectivity and complexity.

Studies show that exposing younger students to college readiness and life skills programs before middle or high school leads to a greater likelihood of success throughout their academic careers.

"It is important for students to understand that college is very possible, but it will require a great deal of work," says Mark Williams (ROLE MODEL).  "And the fact that students were able to tour the Lehman campus and see their first college basketball game which emphasizes our stance regarding the opportunities that basketball can create."

For more information on FOOTPRINTZ BASKETBALL ACADEMY, please visit www.teamfootprintz.org.

FOOTPRINTZ BASKETBALL ACADEMY and MS 331

Although ALL of the schools are faced with the myriad of social, emotional and economic issues, yet the one school that "stands out" is MS331 of the Tremont section of the Bronx.   

Like most urban schools in NYC, students face a myriad of distractions and hardships, but what makes the students from this section so "different" is they hail from an area where the median household income is $24,500, the murder risk is 196 (National Average is 100) and the robbery risk is 293 (National Average is 100).  In addition, the educational statistics point out that approximately 27.5% of the adults have NO high school experience and 25.9% have some high school experience, but yet on our first day we able to attract 35 students to our program which included 60 minutes of ELA, 60 minutes of conditioning, and 60 minutes of basketball skill development.  

Our program which operates 9:00-12:00pm, Saturday mornings has seen our numbers remain steady each week with an average of 30 students each morning.

It is our hope, as a company, through our partnership with Fordham University we are able to successfully engage the students of MS331, New York City and it's surrounding areas.  As well we look to inspire the students we work with in order to for them to become positive, contributing members of our society.

To view MS 331's "Full Annual Report" 

Click here: http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/10/X331/AboutUs/Statistics/default.htm

For additional FOOTPRINTZ Basketball Academy program information: CLICK HERE

Basketball as a teacher of LIFE skills

Despite the fact that as a non-profit organization, one that offers pre teens and teens an innovative out-of-school enrichment activity via sports namely basketball.  We spend a great deal of time debunking the pundits that say, "Not another basketball program?" or " What can basketball teach that teachers can not?" Although we strive for development of the ‘whole’ student - athlete through guided lessons which are geared towards emphasizing and instilling the values of discipline, responsibility, hard work and team spirit, we are aware that some might just consider basketball as a "fun activity".

To some basketball is simply a fun activity whereas to some it forms the basis for their livelihood as pointed out in an article written by Obinna Ekezie Co-Founder and CEO of Wakanow for INC.com.  In the article, Mr. Ekezie points out that the skills needed to be a successful basketball player run parallel with being a successful executive.  Obinna, a 1999 graduate of University of Maryland and NBA veteran, provides readers with 6 lessons that he carried from the basketball court to his business.

1. Be determined to win.
2. Harness your energy and mental focus.
3. Take inspiration from others who are successful.
4. Have a direction before choosing in life.
5. Expose yourself to different cultures.
6. Focus on success and forget about making money.

We do not know if everyone that participates in our program will turn out to be as successful as Mr. Ekezie, however we do know that basketball (sports in general) can provide a great foundation for people to become successful.

So, when another critic should question our motive as it relates to basketball, we will remind them that basketball is merely a vehicle to create a better person. PERIOD!


Read the entire article: 

http://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/6-lessons-i-brought-from-the-basketball-court-to-my-business.html