Ronni Denes

President 

 

Save the Date

 

For the Second Annual 

Leading Change Benefit!

 

Join New Jersey SEEDS for our 2nd Annual Leading Change Benefit on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at Park Savoy (in Florham Park). Enjoy a fabulous "strolling dinner" with friends and colleagues and our annual one-of-a-kind auction.

 

This year, SEEDS will honor CHASE - with Robert St. Jean, President of Middle Market Banking accepting the award - and Laura Overdeck - President & Founder of Bedtime Math. 

 

As SEEDS' largest annual fundraiser, Leading Change provides critical support for our scholars. For more information on how you can participate in this year's event, please visit our Benefit page, or contact Sarah Cassidy at [email protected]. Ticket purchases and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

 

Scholars and Young Scholars 

Back to Class Jan. 5

 

SEEDS Scholars and Young Scholars headed back to the classroom on January 5. For the first 2013 Scholars Academy Saturday, sponsored by the Coach Foundation, all Scholars were together at The Pingry School. During this large group session, the students contemplated their last semesters and defined their "community expectations" for the current semester.

 

Young Scholars have a lot to look forward to. In addition to a relaunched arts program two Saturdays each month, Young Scholars will continue to participate in peer book clubs for the third year. Spearheaded by Friends of SEEDS, book clubs bring together YSP alumni and the children of Friends of SEEDS members for peer discussions. This year's book club discussions will be led by volunteer high-school aged facilitators from area independent schools and YSP graduates. The first two books that will be read are White Giraffe (girls) and The Homework Machine (boys).

 

Finally, partnering with the Guidance department, Young Scholars will participate in Brown Bag Lunches with graduates of YSP. The first session on academic motivation took place on January 5. The second session - to be held later this month - will focus on gender relations.

 

 

College Prep Program Kickstarts 2013

 

On December 11, approximately 80 CPP students, their 

CPP Junior Denzel Railey (right) brought two of his friends to "Bring a Guest" night.

families, friends and volunteers met at the Wilshire Grand Hotel (West Orange) for the second "Bring a Guest" night. The topic was "Completing 2012, Creating 2013." CPP students discussed what they have been learning with SEEDS and shared what their accomplishments have been thus far. Photos from the event are available here. 

 

Twenty-five CPP students and their parents were at Orange High School for a financial aid workshop on January 5. As part of the event, volunteers assisted the families of senior CPP students in completing FAFSA and other necessary financial aid paperwork in advance of college enrollment. 

 

The Young Leadership Committee and Alumni Alliance will continue visiting CPP students for a three-part series on communication. The first two sessions focused on written and oral communication. The session at the end of this month will address non-verbal communication. 

 

 

Guidance Department Plans for 

Spring Semester

 

 

 

Alumni Celebrate the Holiday Season

 

Last month, SEEDS' Guidance and Alumni departments hosted three holiday parties for graduates. 

 

The first event, on December 26, was a Winter Pajama Party for Middle School Scholars. Held in office space in the SEEDS building, attendees enjoyed food, a movie, games and dancing.  

 

SEEDS High School Scholars at the Alumni Holiday Spectacular.

The annual Alumni Holiday Spectacular, for SEEDS graduates in high school, college and beyond, was held December 27 at Michael Anthony's in Jersey City. Nearly 200 graduates attended the event, featuring food and dancing. 

 

At this event, Eleni Papadaopoulous (Scholars '09, Concord Academy '13) presented a check to SEEDS for $901 on behalf of her volleyball club. All SEEDS graduates from Concord Academy joined Eleni to present the check. 

 

CPP graduates attended a "Throwback Game Night" at the SEEDS office on January 4. The College Scholars enjoyed a night of food and old-school board and card games. 

 

You can check out all of the photos from all three holiday parties on our Facebook page.

 

 

SEEDS Alumni Alliance Launches 

The SEEDS Impact

 

At the Alumni Holiday Spectacular, the Alumni Alliance formally launched its 2013 fundraising campaign: The SEEDS Impact. As part of this launch, they presented their "Empowered Alums" video and announced a $1,000 matching gift challenge sponsored by a SEEDS graduate. In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for the reasons why SEEDS alumni are empowered to give!

 

The New Jersey SEEDS Parents Committee expanded to 36 members this winter, increasing its numbers by more than a dozen. The members will continue to serve SEEDS families and work to assist the organization in providing the support necessary to ensure student successes. 

 

As part of their commitment, Parents Committee members assist with recruiting, volunteer with SEEDS, fundraise, attend bi-monthly meetings and act as ambassadors on behalf of the organization.

 

Parents Committee members Betty Blackwell, Rafael Botey, and Gloria Greaves.

The most recent Committee meeting was held on December 14. Nearly 30 members attended the event, which also served as a celebration of accomplishments in 2012. 

 

For those interested in learning more about the Parents Committee, please contact Jamie McClintock, Parent Coordinator, at [email protected] or at 862.227.9146.

  

Save the Date for the Annual Parents Luncheon!  

The event will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the Newark Club (One Newark Center, 22nd Floor, Newark). The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. Additional details to follow.