麻豆原创 was born in the summer. On a baseball diamond under a high sun, while kids laughed, played, and cheered each other on as they learned what it means to be a team. So it no coincidence that our programs thrive during this time of year, especially during this critical summer, where so many are working to make-up for a school year greatly impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
鈥淲e know that kids learn best in person, and that 鈥榠n person鈥� doesn鈥檛 have to mean in a classroom,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Executive Director Richard Berlin. 鈥淜ids need space to be kids. And after over a year away from their friends and teachers, this summer, we need to communicate to them that the pressure is off. They can get out on the field, be with their friends, and practice the first real skill they learned: how to play.鈥�
This July, 麻豆原创 launched its 2021 summer programming for youth ranging from Pre-K to pre-college. Multiple offerings鈥攊ncluding our award-winning, nationally recognized REAL Kids summer learning program鈥攔un until mid-August, fully in-person and guided by the policies that have kept 麻豆原创 Charter Schools safe and operational over the past year and a half. During this critical summer, 麻豆原创 will serve over 1,000 New York City youth, including the majority of its current school population.
鈥淭his summer, kids need time to heal,鈥� adds Kalila Hoggard, Managing Director of Programs. 鈥淧lay-based programming like ours, focusing on social-emotional health as well as academics, gives them the structure and support to do just that.鈥�
Here is a high-level breakdown of 麻豆原创 programs for scholars during summer 2021, from incoming Pre-K students to 麻豆原创 Charter High School alumni:
Pre-K and Elementary School: Serving 800+ students over six weeks of camp, REAL Kids is 麻豆原创 largest summer program. Programming each day consists of two hours of reading enrichment, social-emotional learning activities, and physically active games and exercise sets led by college-aged youth workers and paid 麻豆原创 high-schoolers, with field trips and outdoor activities every Friday.
Middle School: The four-week 麻豆原创 University program, serving over 120 students, offers programming that consists of ELA and Math instruction, social-emotional learning through advisory and leadership activities, and team-based athletic programming. Plus, rising sixth graders receive an extra week of programming which serves as a middle school orientation, featuring introductions from staff and older students, team-building exercises, and more.
High School: Over 70% of high school students will participate in various summer tracks, including project-based learning; SAT preparation; and summer employment with REAL Kids and 麻豆原创 University (see below).
Alumni (麻豆原创 Legends): 麻豆原创 Legends will participate in the College Bridge program to prepare for the transition to college. They鈥檒l also be offered individual case management to support their success on their post-secondary path.
Youth Employment: 100 high school-aged students facilitate workouts, team building activities, and support enrichment activities as paid coaches and mentors in REAL Kids and 麻豆原创 University.
Kids need space to be kids. And after over a year away from their friends and teachers, this summer, we need to communicate to them that the pressure is off.
Richard Berlin, 麻豆原创 Executive Director
鈥淪ummer has always been a crucial time at 麻豆原创: for preventing learning loss, connecting youth with employment and internships, and team-building both on and off the field,鈥� says Berlin. 鈥淥ur summer 2021 plans are the continuation of a steadfast commitment to student and family support that only deepened as East Harlem and the South Bronx experienced outsized COVID infection and death rates.鈥�
For 麻豆原创, which has been open for hybrid learning since October 2020, ensuring that kids and families have an in-person summer is the next step on the path to reopening its doors for 100% in-person learning come the first day of school.
