North Billerica, MA, July 1, 2024
The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) recently presented Janice Alexis, a graduate of Science, Technology and Research Early College High School at Erasmus in Brooklyn, NY, with the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Scholarship for Educational Courage and Justice. Sponsored by Curriculum Associates, the $10,000 college scholarship will be used by Alexis to attend Syracuse University and pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, aiming to bridge the gap between the medical field and minority communities.
The scholarship is part of the Dr. Michael Casserly Legacy Award for Educational Courage and Justice, named after the Council’s former executive director. The annual award, now in its fourth year, is presented to a person who has made outstanding contributions in the field of Grades K–12 urban education by taking a courageous and passionate stance on the issue of educational justice and equity. This year’s award was presented to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who played a major role in championing support for Head Start, a national early childhood education support program that provides support for early education, social, emotional and nutritional health, and social services for children with disabilities.
Alexis recently graduated from the Science, Technology and Research Early College High School at Erasmus, where she played on the school’s volleyball and track and field teams. She spent the summer of her Grade 11 working with the Council of Peoples Organization, a New York City nonprofit organization serving low-income immigrant families, particularly those in the South Asian community. There, Alexis worked in the food pantry and built connections with visitors, strengthening her bonds with her community.
“Janice is an exceptional student who has devoted her high school career to mentoring peers and serving her community,” said Casserly, strategic advisor for CGCS. “We are proud to partner with Curriculum Associates to commend Janice for her efforts and help her pursue her passions. As she endeavors to bridge the gap between the medical field and communities of color, her passion and commitment will positively impact her community and beyond.”
“We are proud of Janice and all of her accomplishments, and we look forward to the many ways her talents will benefit her profession and her community,” said Sonya Coleman, vice president for strategic relationships at Curriculum Associates. “Our partnership with [CGCS] continues to be of great importance as we work together toward educational justice and equity.”
CGCS is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 78 large-city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate on behalf of inner-city students through legislation, research, and media relations. The organization also provides a network for school districts that share common problems to exchange information and collectively address new challenges as they emerge to deliver the best possible education for urban youth.
To learn more about CGCS, visit CGCS.org. To learn more about Curriculum Associates, visit CurriculumAssociates.com.
About CGCS
It is the special mission of America’s urban public schools to educate the nation’s most diverse student body to the highest academic standards and prepare them to contribute to our democracy and global community. The Council brings together 78 of the nation’s largest urban public school systems in a coalition dedicated to the improvement of public education for our nation’s urban public school children. See CGCS.org.
About Curriculum Associates
Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company’s products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.
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