Author: Ramon Gonzalez

EDUCATION
CLINIC, INC.
formerly
St. Aloysius
Education Clinic

Pettit Turns 75	1
St. Aloysius School Closes / Education Clinic Office Back In Harlem / Ms. Gordon Retires	2
Harlem Rotary Club Hosts Event To Support The Clinic	3
Alumni Making Moves To Raise Major Funds For The Clinic	3
News From The Family / College Bound & Graduates	4 / 5

Important Dates / / Contact Us	6 / 6

Over Three Decades of
“Making a Difference
in the Lives of Children”

FAMILY NEWS

Volume 22, Edition I August 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. PETTIT

August 6, 1941, the month, day and year a woman was born, 75 years ago, bound to change the lives of many.
Join us as we celebrate Ms. Beth Pettits 75th birthday. A staple in Harlem; an Icon in our hearts and lives.
Like no other she appreciates well wishes and gifts but doesn't want you to focus on her . She asks that you

acknowledge her big day by going to our website: www.educationclinicinc.org and making a donation through our paypal portal or write her a check for the Education Clinic, so that we can continue to do what we do for “our village”.
The Education Clinic Inc., (formerly St. Aloysius Education Clinic) was founded in the summer of 1979, Ms. Pettit at that times was a tenured and accredited teacher at PS 92 in Central Harlem. Her vision was to provide additional instruction to children of the community during the summer months. Since its inception, The Clinic under Ms. Pettit’s guidance and determination has expanded the Clinic from a small community centered organization into a thriving and prestigious (though underfunded entity) education clinic now which serves children from ages 3-21, from all boroughs of the city, Nassau, Rockland, Westchester counties and Northern New Jersey. Every year The Clinic evaluates its program and responds to the needs of the community, and expands its enrollment and programs to accommodate the needs of the community.
The Education Clinics students are 88% African American; and slightly more than half (55%) boys. Approximately 50% of the families receive some form of public assistance; more than two-thirds of the children are eligible for the free lunch program, and 75% of the parents who turn to the Clinic for counseling are single mothers, who head their households. So the children we serve are those who are at risk of failing in school, succumbing to the streets, and whose families are not in a position to help them get a quality education, and who need intervention.
Because of Ms. Pettit, the Education Clinic’s ultimate goal continues to be to transform low-income communities into places where college readiness and college graduation are the norms. We are working to close the achievement gap and provide college access and aspirations to young people especially those in low income and underserved communities.

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Harlem loses St. Aloysius School
and The Education Clinic Inc.,
formerly St. Aloysius Education Clinic
moves its office back into Harlem
In a terrible turn of events, after 40 years of running programs out of St Aloysius School we have had the proverbial rug pulled from under our feet. With the closing of Harlem’s 76-year-old St. Aloysius School we have lost our home of 40 years.
St. Aloysius School was founded in 1940 in Harlem by the Franciscan Handmaids of Mary, one of the first congregations of African American Catholic women in the country, for underserved low-income students. In 1976, Ms. Pettit began her first program in St. Aloysius School. In 2010, the school became the first independent pre-K through eighth grade Jesuit school in the New York metropolitan area.
Without the two things needed the most, time and money—the mission, commitment, and, capacity for continued growth of great Harlem scholars out of St. Aloysius School will soon be a thing of the past. We enjoyed our partnership with St Aloysius School so rest assured that The Education Clinic Inc., will step up to fill the void left in Harlem.
While having to locate and move into our new office space in Harlem, located at 437-439 West 132nd St. right off Lenox (between Lenox and 7th Avenues) in May, preparing for our summer enrichment program in June, and running our summer program out of PS133 in July and August, we faced the daunting challenge of securing another site for our upcoming programs in September.
Even though St. Aloysius will be closing its doors for good in August, our mission goes on. The Education Clinic Fall programs will continue on in earnest beginning September. Visit our website: www.educationclinicinc.org for Saturday fall class location, dates and times as well as more information on the location of our new Harlem based office.

After 16 Years Of Dedication To The Clinic and Children of Harlem
We Say Good-bye To Mrs. Gordon

The Education Clinic Inc., Family wants to wish Mrs. Virgena Gordon farewell. After 43 years, from schools in the Country of Jamaica to Harlem, New York and the Bronx she’s finally retiring.
Mrs. Gordon has been involved with “The Clinic” since 2000, where she began teaching the gifted (AACE) first and fourth grades. After 10 years she was offered the position as AACE Coordinator and has run the program for the last 6 years.
We will miss her contagious laugh and strong Jamaican accent. Her retirement comes with a much deserved move to Florida.

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MAKING MOVES

We Welcome All To Attend A Fund Raising Grill-Off
Hosted By The Harlem, Chinatown, Inwood, Riverdale, Metro NYC
& Wall Street Rotary Clubs
Date Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Riverbank Park, entrance on 145th st., from 9 AM to 5 PM
Cause Harlem Rotary Club has specified the Education Clinic Inc., as one of the two re cipients of funds raised during this event
Judges John Stage from Dinosaur BBQ will be one of our celebrity judges
Melba Wilson (famous Harlem chef/restaurateur)
Rotary's own D7210 PDG Drew Kessler (a licensed BBQ judge)
Menu Sorority, fraternity and individual grillers will provide a variety of food items that people can sample. More than hotdogs and hamburgers will come out of this.
Schedule The event will be sprinkled with food, activities for adults and children, enter tainment, raffles and prizes. Food will be provided by participants of the Grill Off which we know you will love. Self-proclaimed greatest grillers will be in attendance to tickle and tantalize your taste buds as they vie for recognition as Master Griller and win prizes.
Info Check Our Website www.educationclinicinc.org for further information

We Welcome All To Attend A Happy Hour To Kick Start
Our “Saving The Clinic” Fund Raiser
Date Tuesday, September 20, 2016 , at the Cove Lounge, 325 Malcolm X Blvd.,from 6-8pm
Event Page & RSVP: https://savetheclinic.splashthat.com/#
Cause All money raised will go to the Education Clinic Inc.
Info Check Our Website www.educationclinicinc.org for further information

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NEWS FROM THE FAMILY

PRAISE TO
Matthew McKenzie, in the United States Marine Corps
Christopher Reyes, in the United States Army
Robert Sandy, in the United States Navy
Shirley Jacquet, in the United States Army
Remember these brave, men and woman as they protect our liberties
and strive to keep us safe.
Vinnie Dotoli, Founder and the Board of Directors of Harlem Academy
For hosting programs of the Education Clinic during the 2016-2017 school year
To The New York City Police Department For all their help and support.
CONGRATULATIONS
Jasmine Harris and Georgina Davies who are now officially medical doctors.
We are so proud of your accomplishments
Kyana Smith and Gregory Gonzalez on the occasion of their wedding.
May they have much happiness
Mr & Mrs Julien Williams on the birth of their daughter. Mother and child are doing well
Jada Cooper will be spending the fall semester in Nicaragua studying
the language and immersing herself in a new and unique culture
Claudia Santamaria and Jeremiah Singletary on the birth of their son.
Tamara Hughes and John Walacean on the occasion of their marriage
Kianna Stamps was selected to participate in the Telluride Association Sophmore Seminar at Cornell University, Ithaca from June 26th to August 6th. T.A.S.S. is a six week program designed to encourage the overall development of intelligent and highly motivated High School Sophmores through academic exploration, group living and community service. She will be taking a seminar called “Exploring Cultural Identity Through Music of the Harlem Renaissance, Soul and Social Protest Movements and Contemporary Hip Hop taught by Berkley and Harvard university Professor Charrise Barron.
CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO
Kyle and Kendell Edmonds on the death of their mother. Mrs. Edmonds was very
active in the work of the Clinic. She was one of the founders of the Parents’ Network.

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Whether they are entering college or moving up a grade, we applaud them, for they are The
Education Clinic. They continue to make us proud by forging ahead. Keep on keeping on!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING COLLEGE GRADUATES
Gabrielle Green Howard University
Jacqueline Harris Williams College
Michael Joseph Columbia College in Ohio
Jasmine George State University at Binghamton
Roberto Ortiz Rochester Institute of Technology
Damiry Davis University of California at Irvine
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS ENTERING COLLEGE
Oni Fox New Haven
Indigo Moore Manhattanville
Michael Gaines Syracuse
Malcolm McKenzie Loyola University Maryland
Nicholas Lawrence East Stroudsburg University
Ajee Jones Guttam
Keiyana Jones East Stroudsburg University
Renae Martinez East Stroudsburg University
Ninti Alfred Howard University
Kianni Brown State University at Albany
Brianna Williams Columbia University
Allison Mason CCNY
Sothis Bishop Lehman College
Edgar Compoverde Pace university
Kiarah Ferrer-Williams Syracuse University
Kelly Price Iona College
Angel Rivera St. Augustine College
Raven Velazquez Hostos Community College

NEWS FROM THE FAMILY

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IMPORTANT DATES
Due to the unfortunate closing of St. Aloysius school, all Saturday AACE, Early Literacy and SAT classes will be held at Harlem Academy, 1330 5th Ave, between 111 &112 Streets.
September 10 Staff Conference @ 9:00am
September 17 Early Childhood Literacy Program classes start @ 9:00am
1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade classes start @ 9:00am
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th classes start @ 11:15am
September 20 Benefit—See website For details
September 24 Practice SAT Test 8:00am-1:00pm
September 25 Benefit—See website for details
October 8 Tricky Tray 10:00-Noon Tickets; $20
October 15 SAT classes begin 10:00am-12:00
November 5 Gifts for residents of Cook Center for Christmas due
November 26 No Classess
December 10 ISSE Test, No classes, except SAT
December 17 Holiday Party
January 14 SAT Classes resume
AACE Classes resume
Early Childhood Classes resume
CHECK WEBSITE TO CONFIRM DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION
WWW.EDUCATIONCLINICINC.ORG
CONTACT US VISIT US
Education Clinic Inc. Education Clinic Inc.
Administrative Office Harlem Office
355 8th Ave. 437-439 Lenox Ave. (entrance on 132nd st.)
Suite 2D Between Lenox & 7th Avenues
New York, New York 10001 New York, New York 10037
P/F 212-234-6495 P/F 212-234-6495
Email: stal219@aol.com Email: stal219@aol.com
Mr. Ramon Gonzalez Ms. Beth Pettit
908-240-8067 646-236-9121