For Students At Risk, Focus Is Love

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The focus will be on love for at-risk students at an upcoming conference.

As a direct result of the Southampton school district’s proactive approach to closing the achievement gap, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Julio V. Delgado, along with Dr. Kim Rodriquez, director of college and career readiness, and Sherry Blakey Smith, community liaison for the Shinnecock Indian Nation, have been selected to present at the Native American Student Advocacy Institute’s national conference from June 11 to 13, a release from the district said.

Sponsored by the College Board, Southampton’s proposal “Using Love: An Innovative Support for Students at Risk” focuses on the district’s academic hearings, in which love is the driving force in supporting students at risk.

The process includes a harsh and open look at the student's current reality — academic, behavioral and social emotional — to reveal their story through data and narratives, the release said.

“It is an absolute honor and privilege to have been chosen as a speaker at the College Board's annual NASAI National Conference,” said Delgado. “I am very excited to share what has worked so well for our students, as well as to collaborate with other professionals from across the country who all share the same vision of achieving academic excellence and equity for our kids.”

The College Board’s NASAI conference is for education professionals who want to make a difference for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students, the district said.

Photo courtesy of the Southampton School District.