April 2026 NEWSLETTER

Dear EHTP family,

March was an action-packed month for our community! From "Buddy Reading" in our classrooms to campus tours, our scholars have consistently demonstrated leadership, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning.

• Mentorship in Action: During Literacy Week, our 6th and 7th graders stepped into leadership roles as reading buddies, providing vital mentorship to our younger scholars.

• Future-Focused: Our High schoolers gained firsthand insight into university life during a productive college tour, exploring the opportunities that lie ahead.

• Celebrating Heritage: Congrats to our scholars for their incredible Black History Museum Showcase, honoring the legacy and resilience of Black leaders through powerful research and storytelling.

Looking Ahead: 

Mark your calendars for our annual Build Love Fundraiser on May 12th, featuring the acclaimed Dominican-American author Junot Díaz. It promises to be an inspiring evening!

Spring Break Reminder: 

We will be closed from April 3rd to April 10th. We encourage everyone to stay active both body and mind to be sharp for back to classes on April 13th.

EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY

 Reading Buddies During Literacy Week

From Literary Twin Day to our favorite tradition, Buddy Reading. 
Our scholars spent last week diving deep into the world of stories. There was nothing more special than watching our 5th and 6th graders step up as leaders, sharing their favorite books with our Pre-K and Kindergarten little ones.

Reading isn't just a skill; it’s a muscle that must be developed. We’re so proud of our scholars for reading aloud, reading together, and most importantly, reading for FUN!

Black History Museum Showcase!

The Black History Museum Showcase! at East Harlem Scholars Academy was a hit. Through powerful research and storytelling, our scholars honored the legacy, resilience, and impact of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers across generations.

From the courage of Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin, to the leadership of President Barack Obama and John Lewis, to the excellence of trailblazers like Serena Williams and Michael Jordan, and so many more—scholars explored the stories that have shaped history and continue to inspire the future. Their work reflected knowledge and deep appreciation for the contributions and lasting impact of Black history. We are so proud of their thoughtfulness and creativity

EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY II

Paint and Sip For Excellent Scholars

Scholars at East Harlem Scholars Academy II earned a special Paint & Sip experience in March after achieving 95% attendance, 100% with uniforms, and consistent positive behavior throughout the month. During the experience, scholars had the opportunity to get creative, get artsy, and spend quality time with classmates as they painted and snacked in the classrooms.

Basketball Team Celebracted

The East Harlem Scholars Academy II middle school basketball team recently gathered for a special end-of-season ceremony to celebrate their hard work and growth on the court. During the event, coaches and staff presented individual awards to recognize the outstanding skill, sportsmanship, and dedication shown by the scholars throughout the year. It was a proud moment for the community as each player was honored for their unique contributions to the team’s success and spirit. 

EAST HARLEM SCHOLARS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

High School College Tour

In March, 60 East Harlem Scholars Academy High School juniors stepped into their future during an immersive tour of St. Francis College and St. Thomas Aquinas College. Our scholars got a firsthand look at the college experience by exploring modern dorms, touring campus facilities, and enjoying a meal in the dining halls.

Thank you to Ms. Gil, Dr. Hood, and Ms. Acevedo for organizing such a smooth and inspiring trip. This journey provided our future graduates with a vital glimpse into the exciting opportunities awaiting them after high school!

DEVELOPMENT 

Build Love 2026

Build Love is our largest annual fundraiser, fueling the East Harlem Tutorial Program and East Harlem Scholars Academies' mission to prepare students for academic excellence and community leadership. Each year, Build Love brings together educators, board members, community leaders, and other supporters who believe in the limitless potential of East Harlem’s young people.

Funds raised directly support important investments in our children, such as classroom technology and equipment, field trips, afterschool programs, summer camp, and college advising that empower scholars from kindergarten through college graduation.

This year, we are proud to present the James Baldwin Award to Junot Díaz, whose storytelling has illuminated the complexities of identity, migration, and belonging. Through his powerful body of work and unwavering commitment to truth, Díaz exemplifies the spirit of Baldwin—challenging systems, uplifting marginalized voices, and reminding us of the transformative power of literature. If you are interested in sponsoring the event and supporting our scholars, CLICK HERE or visit www.ehtp.org/build-love-2026

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME 

Team 1880 Scores Again 

Congrats to our 1880 Warriors Robotics team for an incredible performance at the FIRST Long Island Regional! Out of 48 teams, the Warriors secured a massive 4th-place finish and brought home the prestigious 2026 Regional First Impact Award. They are currently ranked 3rd overall and have officially qualified for the Houston, Texas, Championships! This is the 3rd year in a row that we have qualified for the championships! Additionally, to top off the month, we are thrilled to welcome the Gene Haas Foundation as a new partner. Their generous $3,000 gift will fuel our mission as we continue through the season. Special shout-out to:

• Sebastian Gomez, Robotics Associate and leader of TEAM 1880

• Nikita Ranga, our Coding Specialist, who taught the HS scholars how to code Jackie the Robot to facilitate commands.

• Miguel Flores, our Robotics Group Leader

• Scholars of the 2026 Robotics team

• Brian Green, our HS Program Manager

EAST HARLEM TEACHING RESIDENCY 

EHTR Continues to Make a Lasting Impact

STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND RECRUITMENT 

Open House Brings In New Scholars

Last week, East Harlem Scholars Academy opened its doors for a vibrant Open House, welcoming families to explore our community and vision for the upcoming school year. The highlight of the event was a special introduction to our incoming principal, Jessenia Roman, who shared her passion for student success and equity. Families had the opportunity to engage directly with Ms. Roman and our dedicated staff to learn more about our rigorous, supportive academic environment. 

This gathering reinforced our commitment to fostering a deep sense of belonging and excellence for every scholar in East Harlem. EHTP is thrilled to embark on this next chapter together and thanks everyone who joined us to make the event a success.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Our campus was brimming with joy this past Saturday as our scholars joined us for a special spring celebration. From the high-energy excitement of the egg hunt to the focused creativity of our egg-decorating stations, it was a day defined by laughter and community. Seeing our scholars leave with full baskets and bright smiles was the perfect highlight to our week!

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

In honor of Women’s History Month, East Harlem Scholars Academies came together this March to celebrate the incredible women who lead, teach, and inspire our community every day.

Across our schools, scholars explored the vast contributions women have made to modern society, connecting history to the leadership they see right in their own classrooms.

We took intentional time to gather our female staff for the photo, acknowledging their role in shaping our organization’s success and our scholars' futures. EHTP extends a heartfelt thank you to our educators for their dedication and brilliance.

East Harlem Scholars Academy II Teachers

East Harlem Scholars Academy Teachers

East Harlem Scholars Academy High School Teachers

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday Clinics

Join us on April 18th and 25th for our Saturday clinics, 9:00 AM to
12:00 PM.  Clinics are open to all members of our East Harlem community.  Clubs and activities happening include: running/zumba, gardening, chess, arts & crafts, and basketball. 

For more information on how to register, CLICK HERE.

Join Game Changers

Game Changers is a FREE, youth, weekend sports and fitness program for kids in grades 3-6 from 1:30 PM. to 3:30 PM.  For more information, and to register, please CLICK HERE

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program

This school year, all public school kindergarten and new first, second, third, and fourth grade families citywide, including our students, can participate in the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, a college and career scholarship and savings program.

This free program is available regardless of family income or immigration status. Your child will be automatically enrolled and receive an NYC Scholarship Account with an initial $100 unless you choose not to participate. 

Please see these Save for College Program Intro documents for more information. If you have questions, contact Max Cox at mcox@ehtp.org or call NYC Kids RISE at 833-543-7473.