The "Start of Year (SOY) Celebration" is a cherished tradition at Prospect Schools, inaugurated in 2021 by Chief Executive Officer Tresha Ward. This dynamic event serves as a welcome back gathering, vision-setting platform, and spirited pep rally, uniting all Prospect Schools team members to celebrate past achievements, foster connections, and embrace the year’s guiding vision – this year, it’s ‘Culture is Everything.’
This year’s SOY celebration, hosted on the scenic Brooklyn Children’s Museum rooftop, reached new heights of enthusiasm. Emcees Mari Watson (Director of Afterschool and Extended Day Programming) and Bradley Jensen (Director of Literacy at Downtown Middle School) kept the energy high. Team roll calls, video reflections on the meaning of ‘Culture,’ and inspiring speeches set the tone for an unforgettable day.
CEO Tresha Ward passionately articulated Prospect Schools’ mission: “to provide a door-opening education and a foundation for a life full of choice to ALL kids regardless of their race, their parents’ income, or how they choose to identify.”
“This MISSION is BOTH our greatest pride and our most complex challenge,” Ward emphasized. “It’s the mission I’m committed to pursuing — undeterred and undistracted. And it’s a mission we can’t achieve without the passion and commitment of each person sitting here.”
Ward underscored the focus on ‘Culture is Everything’ this year, highlighting the dedication to cultivating a positive and impactful school environment.
The celebration featured a keynote address by renowned scholar Pedro Noguera, Ph.D., Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education. A native of Harlem, Noguera captivated the audience with insights into the critical importance of school culture.
Through vivid examples, Noguera illustrated the impact of culture on student experience and empowerment. He challenged educators to create environments where students are not just followers but leaders, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.
Noguera also delved into the nuanced difference between equality and equity, advocating for a culture where everyone feels responsible for collective success, from front desk staff to custodians and counselors.
“Equity work looks like trying to support people. What we don’t see is, a lot of times, the kids who are doing the best have the most. Their parents have the most resources—private tutors, parents who can help them do their homework, homework is an equity issue. Equity work really looks like this,” Noguera said pointing at an illustration labeled ‘liberation,’ in which kids of all ages and backgrounds had clear views of a baseball field.
“Getting barriers out of the way so every child, every student, can learn and participate and be a member of our community. You need a vision for that. I don’t believe that every child is going to be excellent and go off to the top colleges in the country. But I do believe that if we’re successful in creating schools where kids can thrive the way teachers can, then we should not be able to predict which kids are successful and which kids need help in the office.”
He praised Prospect Schools for their commitment to diversity and excellence, reminding them of their role in shaping a brighter future for all students.
“You’re doing powerful and important work. We don’t have too many examples of diverse schools that serve everyone well. You get a chance to set an example of something different,“ he said.
A moving ‘Culture is Everything’ video further emphasized the theme and Chief Academic and Schools Officer Kecia Clark closed the program with a call to action.
“This year, WE ARE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION to our culture,” she said. “We are tightly aligning on how we do our work and our vision. We are ensuring that all of our children have a predictable and consistent experience. AND We are building the capacity of our adults to tend to the culture of spaces they lead and ensuring that we are clear on our standard and expectations.”
Clark echoed the commitment to making a tangible difference in students’ lives: “Our work is not done. Our challenge ahead still remains demonstrating that every student, regardless of their background, can achieve equally.”
See photos in slideshow below. [All photos by Mike Benigno]