Tag Archives: Condon

My Year Well Spent

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By Brian Kettmer

I began City Year Boston in late August 2009, and haven’t looked back since. I know I have made a positive impact on many lives over the past several months, and I will carry forever the memory of the young people I worked with. As these children develop their academic and social skills throughout their lives, I know that they need our help. The fact that teachers and others like us care may change someone’s individual life for the better.

While my work was not always measurable in concrete ways, other than the increases in my students’ test scores, there is great personal satisfaction in knowing one’s contributions are making a difference. I’ve gained and learned so much from the challenges these kids have faced and the hurdles poverty presents. In addition, the peer group at City Year was great, as I met so many friendly idealists throughout the year.

Condon “Tik Tok’s” Their Way To Excellence

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The Westfield Capital Management Team serving at the Condon Elementary School held their annual MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) Rally March 18th, just a week prior to the required standardized testing. The goal of this event was to prepare, inspire and give students a half hour break from the norm into a myriad of skits, a guest speaker, and even a remix to the famed “Tik Tok” by pop artist Ke$ha.

The song was rewritten by corps member Sam Cohen and was a hit. After the rally ended, multiple teachers tracked down corps members at the Condon looking for a copy of the lyrics. Some wanted to pass them on to young relatives also about to take the test, some because their class couldn’t stop singing/humming forgotten lines and others, like my own classroom, who wished to incorporate the mix into an end of the day treat/reminder of needed preparations in the days leading up to the MCAS.

Even though originally the song was created as a joke, it has turned the Condon into a community of young people now not only prepared, but also inspired to do their very best during their allotted days of testing. In the hallways, you’d be unable to find a single child not smiling, singing along to …

“Wake up in the morning, ’bout to take a test
Wash my face, I’m out the door, gonna do my best
Before I leave, eat some food, got my pencils too
‘Cause when I’m out for the day, I’ve got a lot to do

I’m saying – gettin’ here on time, time
Know I’m gonna do just fine, fine
Reading every line, line
Back-tracking, reading every part, part
Wearing my many layers
Trying to get a good start

MCAS- Study hard, teacher filling up my brain
MCAS- It’s a blast, doing hard questions last
Underline, take your time
Because the clock don’t stop (Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh)”

Results Brought to Light

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Samuel Cohen, 20, comes from Montgomery, Alabama. After his freshman year at University of Alabama, Sam needed a fresh start. He wanted to do service and be part of something larger than himself. With four years under his belt as a camp counselor, City Year seemed like it would be the perfect fit.
Recently, Sam worked closely with a 5th grader, before an upcoming math test during after school homework hour. When the time came for him to take the test, he excelled receiving a near close to perfect score. Later that day, the student had shown the team’s program manager his test, quoting, “I got a 4 on my test and it was all because of Sam.”
After hearing what his student had said, Sam now has tangible proof that he is exactly where he should be. There is no doubt that Sam is fulfilling his role as a City Year Corps Member. He, as well as everyone serving at the James F. Condon school, are absolutely making a difference.

Twenty-Two Year Bond To Live On

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David Freeman was the Art teacher at the James F. Condon Elementary School in South Boston for twenty-two years when he retired on Monday, November, 30, 2009. He is noted to be an excellent artist and also a dedicated teacher. I once had an opportunity to sit in on one of his classes and I’d never seen the students so focused on their work. The way he worked with the kids was remarkable. Third grader Briyanna Young quoted, “Art was the best with Mr. Freeman! Everyone misses him. Art won’t be the same!”

Another close tie Mr. Freeman had with the school was with City Year’s very own, Shane Quigley. Shane not only serves at the J.F. Condon Elementary, but also is a Condon school alum from the class of 2001. Shane was able to have the pleasure of having Mr. Freeman as a teacher, colleague and friend. He once said, “I can’t picture anyone else being the art teacher.” After Shane left the Condon School he still continued to return and visit Mr. Freeman. They had a powerful bond that I’m sure did not end last Monday. These are the types of teachers that the Condon school prides itself on having. Though we have lost a beloved art teacher, his legacy will live on in the students’ work.