We get it. Really, we do. None of the burning questions you have about SCECE have been answered. That’s why, to kick off the biweekly SCECE release, the members of SCECE got together to answer all of the questions you have, and some you probably didn’t.

What does SCECE stand for?

SCECE stands for the Student Committee for Extra-Curricular Education.

How do you pronounce SCECE? 

It’s pronounced skeeeese, NOT cease, or cici. Remember, geese.

What does SCECE do?

SCECE coordinates with experts across the city to design and implement specialized curriculum across the school community. This could involve bringing in professors, artists, or activists for assemblies; hosting brown-bag lunches for discussions and workshops; movie screenings afterschool; or off-campus field trips. You’ve probably filled out one of our surveys where we asked what you wanted to see more of from SCECE. All of your suggestions have influenced our planning for this year.

So what is this year’s curriculum designed around?

This year, SCECE is focusing extensively on “The Middle East: History, Culture, and Identity”; however, we will also be exploring global HIV/AIDS activist movements throughout the year.

What events does SCECE have planned?

SCECE invites you to join us in attending “The Politics of Middle Eastern Art” on October 24, 2019 at 5:30 pm. This event is hosted by the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania and welcomes Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, a Director’s Fellow at MIT. For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected] 

Additionally, SCECE is looking forward to welcoming Yaroub Al-Obaidi to present during an assembly on Monday, November 4. He is an Iraqi refugee who is looking forward to sharing his story and experiences with the community.

More events will be advertised in the hallways and published in this column.

What will the SCECE Release talk about?

The SCECE Release will be our way of bringing more media recommendations to you. We’ve heard from you, and know that there is student interest in learning more about the topics we cover through some of the most thrilling books and movies we have stumbled upon. We also want to keep you updated with what SCECE has planned so that you can have some background and context for the speakers and events that we host.

How can I support SCECE?

Learn how to pronounce it, we are begging you. When we bring in speakers, engage with them. Their presentations will be much more interesting if they know you care about what they have to say.

Also, SCECE pays the speakers who have given their time to teach our community. When SCECE fundraisers come around, you can help support programming by buying some tasty food. Trust us, we do enough baking for SCECE bake sales that our baked goods are probably the best around (just ask Portfolio Prep).

Can I still be involved with SCECE even if I don’t have the time to attend every meeting?

Yes! We have lunchtime meetings every Tuesday in Malik and Mattew’s room. We’d love for you to drop by and share your thoughts and opinions on anything we are planning. If there’s a specific part you’d like to be involved in, we would love the extra help.