Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Upward bound claims “To provide fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. " Recently I was informed that a student, a loved and active member, who has participated in Upward Bound for over two years will not be attending his third consecutive summer due to attending National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists (NAFST); a very prestigious and selective program. Zack Caraballo was selected for this program from College Board Student Search and received at letter from Buzz Aldrin, an American engineer and former astronaut, and the second person to walk on the Moon, asking him to apply. The NA FST has promised to bring their young Delegates face-to-face with:
· Winners of the Nobel Prize, the most prestigious award in the world;
· Award winning young inventors and scientists;
· Deans of the world’s 10 top universities;
· Ivy League academic leaders;
· Leaders of science and tech;
· And scientific futurists
Mr. Caraballo has wanted to pursue a career in a STEM field ever since he was in middle school. To ensure his success for his feature he participates in multiple programs in addition to Upward Bound. Last year his schedule was so jammed packed that he only had two days to spare in between U.S. Naval Academy, another STEM focused program, and Upward Bound. This year Mr. Caraballo doesn’t have the luxury of two days, actually he has the exact opposite situation. NAFST conflicts with Upward Bound's schedule by two days, June 28-June 30. As a result of this confliction the director of Castleton Upward Bound has dismissed Mr. Caraballo from session 2 of Upward Bound for the summer.
During Mr. Caraballo’s first summer at Upward bound he remembers that a group of students missed multiple days in order to attend a school field trip and were allowed to come back to participate in the rest of the summer program. As President of Castleton Upward Bound Student Advisory Board I, Thomas Bacher, declare that this is not what Upward Bound is about, that Mr. Caraballo’s dismissal does not demonstrates the actions of providing fundamental support for college entrance nor provide opportunities to succeed in precollege performance, that Mr. Caraballo dismissal reflects the action of jealous emotions towards his acceptance to such a prestigious program. I encourage everyone to sign below to show their support that they feel that Mr. Caraballo should be allowed to attend session 2 of Upward Bound despite his absence on two days due to him attending such a prestigious program as NAFST!
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Updates
June 16, 2015
The momentum is incredible. People are finally starting to listen.
21 Comments
As a parent and an educator, I'm appalled that Zack might be forced to forego his entire Outward Bound program this summer because of a two-day scheduling conflict with another prestigious program in which he's been invited to participate. Isn't Outward Bound supposed to support students' academic goals and endeavors? The director's decision here is doing the exact opposite.
I am very sad that it had to come to this. 3days excussed for a farther gain in a great education benefit should be allowed!
Upward Bound has helped my older son, Alexander, in many different ways. Not sure why they're doing this to Zachary. It makes me sad to see that they're not applying their policies toward attendance evenly and that Zack has to pay for it. If they had contacted a parent, like myself or his mom, I would understand, but they did not. It's not like Zack is taking a vacation, he's attending a conference that falls within the stated goals of Upward Bound.
I completely agree with everything you have said Tommy. You are such a bright student and great friend for doing this. Good Luck to you and Zach in achieving your future goals.
I love the upward bound program, it has been very good for my son. However, this is not the first time that I have known a student that was ejected from the program for wanting to do additional extracurricular summer activities that fell a few days in the designated timeframe of Upward bound. Zack should be allowed to attend this prestigious program.
I absolutely agree that Zack will be able to share this experience with his peers in Upward Bound. He should be encouraged by his educators and mentors through the program to do so, not be penalized for his achievements. As it was explained to us in a meeting, the policy is that any student choosing to miss any part of the first week would not be allowed to attend. The reason being that the student would miss out on important team building activities and miss class, compromising their ability to pass. While I understand if a student is choosing to go on vacation, that policy makes sense, but that is not the case. He is choosing to participate in a once in a lifetime educational opportunity. Perhaps the policy needs to be reviewed and amended to allow students the ability to explore such opportunities. Furthermore, he has been an active member of Upward Bound for 3 years, is well liked and already part of that team, as well as an honor roll student. I am confident that Zack will be able to maintain grades in any summer class he is enrolled in, as well as rejoin the team he is already a big part of, despite missing 2 days.
#teamzac
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Upward bound claims “To provide fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. " Recently I was informed that a student, a loved and active member, who has participated in Upward Bound for over two years will not be attending his third consecutive summer due to attending National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists (NAFST); a very prestigious and selective program. Zack Caraballo was selected for this program from College Board Student Search and received at letter from Buzz Aldrin, an American engineer and former astronaut, and the second person to walk on the Moon, asking him to apply. The NA FST has promised to bring their young Delegates face-to-face with:
· Winners of the Nobel Prize, the most prestigious award in the world;
· Award winning young inventors and scientists;
· Deans of the world’s 10 top universities;
· Ivy League academic leaders;
· Leaders of science and tech;
· And scientific futurists
Mr. Caraballo has wanted to pursue a career in a STEM field ever since he was in middle school. To ensure his success for his feature he participates in multiple programs in addition to Upward Bound. Last year his schedule was so jammed packed that he only had two days to spare in between U.S. Naval Academy, another STEM focused program, and Upward Bound. This year Mr. Caraballo doesn’t have the luxury of two days, actually he has the exact opposite situation. NAFST conflicts with Upward Bound's schedule by two days, June 28-June 30. As a result of this confliction the director of Castleton Upward Bound has dismissed Mr. Caraballo from session 2 of Upward Bound for the summer.
During Mr. Caraballo’s first summer at Upward bound he remembers that a group of students missed multiple days in order to attend a school field trip and were allowed to come back to participate in the rest of the summer program. As President of Castleton Upward Bound Student Advisory Board I, Thomas Bacher, declare that this is not what Upward Bound is about, that Mr. Caraballo’s dismissal does not demonstrates the actions of providing fundamental support for college entrance nor provide opportunities to succeed in precollege performance, that Mr. Caraballo dismissal reflects the action of jealous emotions towards his acceptance to such a prestigious program. I encourage everyone to sign below to show their support that they feel that Mr. Caraballo should be allowed to attend session 2 of Upward Bound despite his absence on two days due to him attending such a prestigious program as NAFST!
Updates
June 16, 2015
The momentum is incredible. People are finally starting to listen.
21 Comments
As a long-time Castleton resident and alum of the schools there, I can attest that anything which broadens the horizons of students there is a positive thing. This student should not be penalized for his acheivements and should be allowed to participate. Further, he should be required to provide the other students in the Upward Bound program a debrief on what he learned from the conference, making this experience a learning event for both himself and others.
As a parent and an educator, I'm appalled that Zack might be forced to forego his entire Outward Bound program this summer because of a two-day scheduling conflict with another prestigious program in which he's been invited to participate. Isn't Outward Bound supposed to support students' academic goals and endeavors? The director's decision here is doing the exact opposite.
I am very sad that it had to come to this. 3days excussed for a farther gain in a great education benefit should be allowed!
Upward Bound has helped my older son, Alexander, in many different ways. Not sure why they're doing this to Zachary. It makes me sad to see that they're not applying their policies toward attendance evenly and that Zack has to pay for it. If they had contacted a parent, like myself or his mom, I would understand, but they did not. It's not like Zack is taking a vacation, he's attending a conference that falls within the stated goals of Upward Bound.
I completely agree with everything you have said Tommy. You are such a bright student and great friend for doing this. Good Luck to you and Zach in achieving your future goals.
I love the upward bound program, it has been very good for my son. However, this is not the first time that I have known a student that was ejected from the program for wanting to do additional extracurricular summer activities that fell a few days in the designated timeframe of Upward bound. Zack should be allowed to attend this prestigious program.
I absolutely agree that Zack will be able to share this experience with his peers in Upward Bound. He should be encouraged by his educators and mentors through the program to do so, not be penalized for his achievements. As it was explained to us in a meeting, the policy is that any student choosing to miss any part of the first week would not be allowed to attend. The reason being that the student would miss out on important team building activities and miss class, compromising their ability to pass. While I understand if a student is choosing to go on vacation, that policy makes sense, but that is not the case. He is choosing to participate in a once in a lifetime educational opportunity. Perhaps the policy needs to be reviewed and amended to allow students the ability to explore such opportunities. Furthermore, he has been an active member of Upward Bound for 3 years, is well liked and already part of that team, as well as an honor roll student. I am confident that Zack will be able to maintain grades in any summer class he is enrolled in, as well as rejoin the team he is already a big part of, despite missing 2 days.
#teamzac
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As a long-time Castleton resident and alum of the schools there, I can attest that anything which broadens the horizons of students there is a positive thing. This student should not be penalized for his acheivements and should be allowed to participate. Further, he should be required to provide the other students in the Upward Bound program a debrief on what he learned from the conference, making this experience a learning event for both himself and others.