SSIKE, Nurturing the Grade Point Average - ssike

SSIKE...is an organization, established in 2006, of 9^th-12^th grade students of diverse backgrounds predominantly African American and Hispanic/Latino(a) at Iowa City West High School.

*  SSIKE focuses on the individual’s academic potential with special emphasis placed on nurturing the GPA (Grade Point Average) and on post-secondary education; 

*  SSIKE aims to create awareness for issues relating to students and their potential for academic success; 

*  SSIKE looks to remove barriers and create access to academic and co-curricular opportunities; 

*  SSIKE investigates the role culture plays in the academic, personal and social lives of West High students; 

*  SSIKE fosters leadership within its Council (i.e. 9th-12th grade Officers);

*  SSIKE Officers and its members are responsible for the production of the annual West High School Diversity Dinner (in the Fall) and the annual SSIKE Academic Recognition Night (in the Spring); 

*  The SSIKE Advisor, Maria Martin, Academic Dean, coordinates college visits, conference opportunities, and academic supports such as the after-school study program, SAT/ACT preparation classes, and participation in summer college experiences; maintains the SSIKE website; and supervises the production of the SSIKE e-Newsletter (published each trimester);

*  The SSIKE Founder, Francisco Pepin, Assistant Principal, offers on-going supports within and beyond the building through collaborative partnerships with community organizations and acquisition of funding sources;

*  SSIKE also works collaboratively with parents to support student endeavors;

*  SSIKE also aims to start a Junior High chapter, in the near future;

*  On Friday May 4, 2012 SSIKE presented its first Annual Scholarship (funded by the Ortiz Martin family) at its annual recognition program.