2022 Breakthrough Summer Academy

Middle School Summer Academy Dates: June 15 - July 29

The 2022 Breakthrough Summer Academy is an opportunity for rising 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders to prepare for the upcoming school year both academically and socially. All Breakthrough students in this age range are strongly encouraged to attend as much as they are able to, as it is a key part of the Breakthrough program. Students will attend the academy during the day on Monday-Thursday of each week.

SUMMER CALENDAR | CALENDARIO DE VERANO

DURING A BREAKTHROUGH SUMMER…

Transportation and meals will be provided. At the academy, students will spend time learning the core subjects of math, science, social studies, and English language arts in addition to exploration classes of their choosing, community building, and social-emotional development. Students will also be given the opportunity to participate in field trips. At the end of the summer, students will have completed a POL or “Presentation of Learning” that they will present to their peers and display for their families and friends at the end of the summer celebration. Beyond fostering students’ academic success, the Breakthrough community cares deeply about the safety and inclusion of each student. It is our hope that our students leave the summer feeling more accomplished, cared for, and prepared for what is ahead.

COVID Safety and Guidelines

We continue to monitor the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Texas, and the City of Austin, as well as our partner institutions Austin ISD, Manor ISD, Del Valle ISD, the University of Texas, and other area institutions of higher education. The City of Austin is currently at a medium-risk stage. We will continue to monitor the ongoing pandemic and will reassess guidance as needed.

COVID-19 Testing

Masking is optional in the Breakthrough office, summer site locations, and in other venues where Breakthrough work is conducted, except if otherwise required by the institution. Masking is optional for other community members, such as students, families, and volunteers, at Breakthrough events, unless required by a hosting institution or venue. Masks continue to be an effective way to prevent the contracting of the virus for those that choose to wear them as one-way prevention, then we fully accept and honor that choice. Masks will be available for students and staff to wear if they choose to do so.

Hand sanitizer will also be available in every classroom. The CDC recommends hand washing as the most effective prevention strategy. If hand washing is not possible, then hand sanitizer is recommended.

Please be aware that the fluidity of this pandemic may require that we reinstate a masking requirement or change other guidance as needed. Again, please follow the requirements and recommendations of the school, institution, or place of business you are visiting.

If you have been in close contact with an infected person (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period), follow the CDC guidance linked here or listed as follows:

If you are up-to-date on your vaccination or had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you do not need to be quarantined. Instead:

Wear a mask around others for 10 days
Test on day 5 after exposure (not necessary for a confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days)
If at any time you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

If you are unvaccinated or not up-to-date on your vaccination, please:

Quarantine for 5 days
Test on day 5 after exposure
If you have no symptoms, you may resume the in-person academy. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 days
Wear a mask around others for 10 days
If at any time you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

If you are feeling sick or have symptoms, please stay home and contact your physician and site director as soon as possible.

If you test positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, self-isolate for:

5 days since symptoms first appeared and
Go 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
And other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving
Wear a mask for 10 days

You may return to in-person work after the self-isolation period if you are symptom-free.

Any FDA-approved test will work well, either PCR or Rapid test. Breakthrough will also try to have home rapid tests available. Ask your site director if you would like one of these.

Questions? Check out your site’s information, contacts are below:

AUSTIN ISD

Breakthrough admits a new class of sixth-grade students each spring and makes a commitment to help them graduate from high school, enter college and become the first in their families to graduate from college. Breakthrough will accept applications from sixth graders at all schools in the Austin ISD boundaries. We recruit directly from the following schools: Martin Middle School, Mendez Middle School, Webb Middle School, O. Henry Middle School, Fulmore Middle School, Dobie Middle School, Sadler Means Middle School, Gus Garcia Middle School, Burnet Middle School, Lamar Middle School, Bedichek Middle School, and Kealing Middle School.

If you have questions or have trouble accessing the form, please leave a voicemail with your student name, school, and phone number
- Central South Austin
  - Will Banes (609) 787-4828
  - Mayra Vargas (512) 7501474
- North Austin
  - Brittney Demars (832) 755-9297
  - Getsemani Villalobos (737) 262-8509

MANOR ISD

Breakthrough admits a new class of fifth grade students from Manor ISD each spring and makes a commitment to help them graduate from high school, enter college and become the first in their families to graduate from college. Breakthrough will accept applications from fifth graders at all elementary schools within the Manor ISD boundaries. We recruit directly from the following schools: Lagos Elementary, Shadow Glen Elementary, Decker Elementary, Manor Elementary, Blake Manor Elementary, Pioneer Crossing, Presidential Elementary Bluebonnet Trails, and Oak Meadows Elementary.

If you have questions or have trouble accessing the form, please leave a voicemail with your student name, school, and phone number
- Manor
  - Ric Almeda (512) 797-2410
  - Natalie Nunes (512) 705-3284

DEL VALLE ISD

Breakthrough admits a new class of fifth-grade students from Del Valle ISD each spring and makes a commitment to help them graduate from high school, enter college and become the first in their families to graduate from college. Breakthrough will accept applications from fifth graders at all elementary schools in the Del Valle ISD boundaries. We recruit directly from the following schools: Creedmoor Elementary, Baty Elementary, Smith Elementary, Del Valle Elementary, Popham Elementary, Hornsby Dunlap Elementary, Gilbert Elementary, Collins Elementary, and Hillcrest Elementary.

If you have questions or have trouble accessing the form, please leave a voicemail with your student name, school, and phone number
- Del Valle
  - Ja’Near Burton- (512) 699-7935
  - Jessica Hernandez (737) 263-9186