Hello Kris,


The signs of spring are appearing and happy (longer) days are here again! 🌞


Thank you for completing the 2025 YPIE Volunteer General Interest Survey - we recorded a 91% response rate!  If you didn’t have the chance to complete the survey, it’s still open.


YPIE’s robotics team, Cybears (Team 9509), will be competing in their second NYC Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at the Armory (Fort Washington Avenue between 168th and 169th Streets, Manhattan) on April 5-6, 2025. This event is open to the public - bring your family and friends to support our students!


Our food for thought this month is an article that the entire YPIE staff read and discussed during our last professional development day.  In “The Anti-Social Century,” Derek Thompson addresses the escalating trend of social isolation in American society and proposes several solutions to counteract this phenomenon, including rebuilding social infrastructure, promoting community engagement, and designing pro-social technologies.  I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially around implications for the work we all do at YPIE.


We have quite a few events in the coming months where we’d love to see you!  Please check out the calendar below and let me know if you need any additional information.


Thank you!


Stacy Winitt

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships



UPCOMING EVENTS

ESSAY COACH TRAINING - SPRING

Spring Season Essay Coaches are required to attend one of the sessions listed below. RSVP required - 2025 Essay Coach Survey

  • March 12th, 6:00pm-7:00pm (via Zoom)
  • March 13th, 2:00pm-3:00pm (via Zoom)
  • March 18th, 10:00am-11:00am (via Zoom)



IMPACT UPDATE & EDUCATION CONVERSATION

Join our Executive Director, Sam Wallis, to learn about our most recent data for college graduation and enrollment data, organizational updates, and highlights about the current educational landscape.

  • April 22nd, 10:00am-11:30am (in person at YPIE College Zone, Yonkers)
  • April 23rd, 12:00pm-1:00pm (via Zoom)



TRANSITION TO COLLEGE

Workshop for 12th Grade Graduation Coaches focused on ways to support Scholars in their transition from high school to college.

  • April 22nd, 3:00pm-4:00pm (via Zoom)
  • May 1st, 12:00-1:00pm (via Zoom)



SPRING EVENTS OPEN TO ALL VOLUNTEERS

  • Majors Showcase, Jersey City - May 21st, 3:30pm-5:30pm
  • Majors Showcase, Yonkers - May 22nd, 3:30pm-5:30pm
  • Scholars present their work in YPIE Majors completed throughout the year. Guests provide feedback as students prepare for YPIECON.


  • Science Research Symposium, Yonkers - May 28th, 5:30pm-7:00pm
  • YPIE Regeneron Science Research Scholars showcase their in-depth science research projects


  • YPIECON, NYC (47 W 34th Street) - May 31st, 12:00pm-2:00pm
  • Jersey City and Yonkers Scholars present their work at the first annual YPIE National Scholars Convention hosted by Mercy University.  Guests serve as judges.


  • Gratitude Celebration - June 12th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
  • Join us for our annual event celebrating the impact and dedication of our volunteers and partners, hosted by Cross County Center.



Please see the YPIE Volunteer calendar at ypie.org/ypievolunteer



STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES DATABASE

YPIE has a searchable Student Opportunities Database with opportunities for students to volunteer, learn, or expand knowledge of different careers outside of school.



YONKERS POLICE CADETS

The Yonkers Police Cadets program provides exposure to age-appropriate police training in the areas of emergency operations by interfacing with different units such as Patrol, Traffic, Marine, Crime Scene Unit, Emergency Service Unit, K-9 Unit, and more; teaches planning, strategy, teamwork, and decision-making skills to prepare students for successful careers in Law Enforcement and related fields. Applications for the Yonkers Police Cadets program are due on March 31, 2025.  The program runs weekly from April through September.



MARCH AT THE COLLEGE ZONE

Here’s the March YPIE Family Newsletter that includes the calendar of events at the Zone.



VOLUNTEER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCIENCE JUDGES NEEDED

Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF)

  • When: Saturday, March 16th, 8:30am - 3:00pm (lunch provided)
  • Where: Somers High School (120 Primrose St, Lincolndale, NY 10540)
  • Who: Science professionals (Masters/PhD, enrolled in a degree program, or have a bachelors plus 2+ years of experience; more details here)
  • Next Steps: Set up an account and register at www.wesef.zfairs.com (put YPIE as your affiliate school) and then email Jake (jschofield@ypie.org) to let him know you registered



GRADUATION COACH REMINDERS 

Graduation Coaches should submit one monthly update during the last week of each month. If you did not submit an update for February, please do so ASAP.



ESSAY COACH REMINDERS

The Spring Season will launch on April 1, 2025. The Summer Season runs from July through early September (training sessions held via Zoom in June) and the Fall Season runs from late September through early December (training sessions in September).



YONKERS SCHOOL VISITS

Yonkers Essay Coaches and Graduation Coaches can meet with students at school during their lunch/free periods. Please read and adhere to the YPIE Volunteer School Visit Policy, schedule your visits on days when YPIE staff will be at the schools, and email them in advance to let them know your plans.


Please review this contact list for YPIE staff and ensure that you plan your meeting for a day when YPIE staff are in the school building.

  • Please note that our staff at Gorton, Obama, Riverside, Roosevelt, and Yonkers Montessori Academy split their time between two locations, so they are not available each day.  



MEETING AT YPIE COLLEGE ZONE

If you plan to meet your student at the College Zone in Yonkers or Jersey City, please email me at least one business day in advance with the date, time, and name of your student. I’ll add your meeting to the calendar and confirm with you.



VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

February 2025 Volunteer Newsletter

February 2025 Summer Opportunities Workshop recording and presentation

January 2025 Volunteer Newsletter

December 2024 Volunteer Newsletter

November 2024 Volunteer Newsletter

October 2024 Current College Landscape recording and presentation

October 2024 Volunteer Newsletter

September 2024 Volunteer Newsletter

YPIE Volunteer Handbook

Essay Coach Playbook

Graduation Coach Playbook

Becoming a Better Mentor (full 135-page guidebook)


Thanks for reading all the way to the end!

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Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) partners with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college. 
Visit us at ypie.org.