New Year, New Milestones: Let’s Build the Future Together

As we step into a new year, we pause with gratitude—and absolute momentum. New Year, New Milestones isn’t just a hopeful phrase; it’s a reflection of what our community accomplished together in 2025 and a promise of what’s ahead.

This past year was marked by growth with purpose. Thousands of young people showed up every day to learn, explore, and imagine what their futures could hold. Families trusted us with their children. Dedicated educators, staff, and partners brought energy, creativity, and care into classrooms, community spaces, and summer programs. Supporters and funders stood with us, believing in our mission and actively investing in it.

Together, we strengthened programs that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We expanded opportunities that connect learning to real-world experiences, from STEAM enrichment and literacy to college and career readiness. We continued to remove barriers to participation because access matters, and potential lives everywhere.

Looking ahead, 2026 calls us to go further. To deepen impact. To keep listening to the needs of young people and families. To innovate with intention and scale what works. The future we are building is one where every child is seen, supported, and equipped to succeed.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your belief, partnership, and generosity make progress possible.

Here’s to a new year—and to building the future together.

Important School Calendar Dates Ahead: What Carver Families Need to Know for Early Dismissals, Breaks, and Spring Recess

As we head into the busiest stretch of the school year, we want to make sure Carver families have the key Norwalk Public Schools (NPS) calendar dates at their fingertips. Planning for early dismissals, school breaks, and holidays can help ensure smooth transitions for students and families alike.

Below is an updated overview of key dates for the remainder of the 2025 school year and into early 2026.

Winter Recess & Return to School

• December 24 – January 2: Winter Recess (No School)

• Students return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026

Just so you know, while there is no extended winter break beyond the holidays, there is a full spring recess later in the school year.

Key No-School Days & Early Dismissals

• January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

• January 26: 2-hour Early Dismissal (Professional Development for Staff)

• February 16 – 20: Presidents’ Day Recess (No School)

• March 10 – 12: K–5 Conferences (2-hour Early Dismissal each day)

• March 20: Eid al-Fitr (No School)

• March 30: Professional Development for Staff (2-hour Early Dismissal)

• April 3: Good Friday (No School)

• April 6 – 10: Spring Recess (No School)

• April 27: Professional Development for Staff (2-hour Early Dismissal)

• May 11: Professional Development for Staff (2-hour Early Dismissal)

• May 25: Memorial Day (No School)

End of the School Year

• June 16: 2-hour Early Dismissal

• June 17: Tentative Last Day of School (2-hour Early Dismissal)

  Please note: the final day of school may change depending on the number of snow days used this winter.

A Note for Carver Families

Carver plans its before-school, after-school, and enrichment programming to align closely with the Norwalk Public Schools calendar. On early dismissal days, Carver programs will adjust schedules accordingly, and families will receive site-specific communications if any changes affect their child’s program.

As always, if you have questions about how these dates impact your child’s Carver program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your site coordinator or the Carver team.

Thank you for your partnership—and for helping us support students through a strong, well-planned school year ahead.

South Norwalk Elementary School to be Named for a Champion of Equity: Norwalk Honors Dr. Ruby May Foster Shaw

Norwalk officials have unanimously approved naming the newly opened South Norwalk Elementary School in honor of Dr. Ruby May Foster Shaw, a pioneering educator, administrator, and civic leader whose life’s work helped reshape public education in Norwalk with a steadfast focus on equity, opportunity, and belief in every child’s potential.

The decision ensures that future generations of students will walk through the doors of a school named after someone who dedicated decades to making those doors wider and more welcoming. It is especially meaningful for Carver, which is proud to operate its After the Bell before- and after-school program at the school, extending Dr. Shaw’s legacy of holistic support for children and families beyond the classroom day.

A life shaped by learning and service

Born on May 30, 1925, in Queens, New York, Ruby May Foster was raised in an Afro-Caribbean–Latin household by immigrant parents from Panama and Costa Rica. A gifted student, she was among the first Black students inducted into the Arista honor society at Jamaica High School. Her academic path took her to Queens College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology in 1945, followed by a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University in 1947.

Committed to lifelong learning, she later completed a certificate in administration at Fairfield University and, while working full time, earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Bridgeport in 1985—becoming, proudly and definitively, Dr. Shaw.

Transforming Norwalk’s schools

Dr. Shaw joined Norwalk Public Schools in 1962 as a school social worker. In 1976, she was appointed assistant superintendent for human relations and alternative education, a role she held for a decade. During this period, she helped create Norwalk’s first magnet school. She was instrumental in transforming Columbus Elementary into Columbus Magnet School in 1980—an effort that addressed segregation concerns while expanding parent choice and educational quality.

After her district service, she continued to shape future educators as an adjunct professor at Norwalk Community College, where she taught early childhood education and emphasized meeting young learners where they are.

“Never write off any student”

Dr. Shaw’s philosophy was simple and profound: “Never write off any student. Everyone has a contribution to make.” That belief guided her leadership and the programs she designed or led after retirement, including ACE, CLASS, GAIN, and PACT, each focused on strengthening academic achievement and family engagement. She also played a central role in Norwalk’s I Have a Dream program, founded in 1999, which supported minority students’ aspirations to pursue education beyond high school.

A civic leader beyond the classroom

Dr. Shaw’s influence extended throughout Norwalk’s civic life. She served on boards including Norwalk Hospital, the Maritime Aquarium, the United Way of Norwalk & Wilton, the Human Services Council, Horizons at Greens Farms Academy, and several scholarship committees. In 1957, she and her family moved to Village Creek, a deliberately integrated Norwalk community that reflected her deep commitment to inclusion and shared civic responsibility.

Her contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the Commission on the Status of Women’s “Celebrate Women!” recognition, a Connecticut Post “Woman of Substance” profile, and the Volunteer Spirit Award from the Voluntary Action Center of Mid-Fairfield.

A living legacy

Dr. Shaw passed away peacefully at home in Norwalk on May 31, 2019, at age 94. Her legacy lives on through her family—and through the countless students, educators, and community members shaped by her vision.

By naming the school Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, Norwalk has made a powerful statement about the values it chooses to elevate: equity, inclusion, and belief in every child. For Carver and our After the Bell students and families, it is an honor to be part of a school community that carries forward the spirit and standards of an educator who truly believed that education can change lives—and cities—for the better.

Carver Student Alinson Morales Wins Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, Earning Regional Honors and a College Scholarship

Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator and Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School

Carver is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School, who has been named the Optimum East High School Winner of the Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. This competitive, multi-state program recognizes exceptional student writing, reflection, and cultural insight.

Open annually to students in grades 6–12 across Optimum’s service area, the Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest invites young people to write about how a person, cultural experience, celebration, or tradition connects them to Hispanic culture. Winners are selected for essays that demonstrate strong writing, authentic personal reflection, and a compelling connection to heritage and identity. This year’s submissions came from across the region, with runners-up representing states as far away as Texas, underscoring the significance of Alinson’s achievement. Now in its 18th year, the program received more than 1,500 entries.

Alinson’s essay stood out for its thoughtful exploration of the meaningful aspects of her background, family, and community—experiences that have shaped her values, sense of responsibility, and aspirations for the future. As the Optimum East High School winner, Alinson received a $3,000 Hispanic Heritage college scholarship, and her accomplishment is now prominently recognized on Optimum’s Hispanic Heritage Month website.

Here is an excerpt from the Brien McMahon High School website:

Alinson’s essay explored her Guatemalan roots through her family’s tradition of hair braiding. Throughout her life, her grandmother and mother braided her hair with practiced, loving hands. Yet Alinson herself never learned the art. For years, that gap made her feel distanced from her culture.

Over time, she realized that her identity and connection to her heritage aren’t defined by any single skill or tradition. While she may not braid like her mother and grandmother, her family relationships and the time spent enjoying this shared activity with them firmly tie her to her culture.

A student of Brien McMahon High School, within Optimum’s service footprint, Alinson plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing—a path deeply aligned with the themes of service, care, and commitment to future generations that often define winning essays in this program. This regional recognition signals that she is already distinguishing herself academically and personally, strengthening her college and scholarship applications well beyond this single award.

Alinson is currently a paid Carver intern working in Carver’s After the Bell program.

Throughout her high school journey, Alinson has been supported and mentored by Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator, who has worked closely with her to navigate academic goals, internship opportunities, and long-term planning. Their partnership reflects the power of consistent mentorship and encouragement—ensuring that talented students like Alinson not only find their voice, but are prepared to use it with confidence and purpose.

Alinson’s success is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are supported, challenged, and given opportunities to reflect on who they are and who they hope to become. Carver congratulates Alinson Morales on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to all that lies ahead as she continues her journey toward a career rooted in compassion, service, and community impact.

When One Chapter Closes, Another Opens: SVFC Association Entrusts Its Legacy to Carver

Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin by Yves Berliet, Treasurer of SVFC Association Corp

As communities grow and change, so do the organizations that serve them. Sometimes, an ending is not an ending at all—but a careful, hopeful handoff.

Carver was honored today to receive a $7,342.89 gift from the SVFC Association, a longtime youth soccer organization in Norwalk. The check was presented to Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin by Yves Berliet, Treasurer of SVFC Association Corp, in a moment that marked both the conclusion of one chapter and the continuation of a deeply shared mission.

For years, the SVFC Association has existed for a simple and powerful purpose: to promote and grow soccer for Norwalk’s children and teens. From its founding, SVFC has worked to provide young people with opportunities to participate in organized soccer, develop their skills and teamwork, and experience the joy, discipline, and connection that sports can bring. Families, volunteers, and community partners were all part of that effort, creating a positive and inclusive environment where youth could be active, learn sportsmanship, and feel a sense of belonging.

As the SVFC Association formally dissolved, its Board of Directors made a deliberate and values-driven decision. In accordance with Connecticut law governing charitable assets, the Association transferred its remaining funds to Carver, with the expressed wish that they be used to support soccer-related activities for Carver students—ensuring that the spirit and purpose of SVFC would live on through new opportunities for Norwalk youth.

This gift is an act of trust. It reflects a belief that Carver’s programs are aligned with SVFC’s original mission and that the love of the game, the lessons learned on the field, and the sense of community fostered through soccer will continue to shape young lives.

At Carver, we see this moment as a bridge between generations of service. One organization’s journey has reached its natural conclusion, and in doing so, it has helped open doors for the next generation of children—to run, play, learn, and grow.

We are deeply grateful to the SVFC Association, its Board, and its volunteers for their years of dedication to Norwalk’s youth, and for ensuring that their legacy continues in a new form. Because when something ends with intention and care, it creates space for new beginnings—and for Carver kids, that future is already taking shape on the field.

Sweet Learning After the Bell: Gingerbread STEAM at Brookside Elementary

At Brookside Elementary School, learning doesn’t stop when the final bell rings—it just gets a little sweeter.

Recently, Carver’s After the Bell students rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on gingerbread house activity led by Monica Cervantes, a dedicated Brookside daytime teacher and Carver staff member who manages the After the Bell program at the school. What looked like a festive holiday project quickly became an engaging STEAM experience filled with creativity, problem-solving, and joyful collaboration.

Armed with graham crackers, icing, and colorful decorations, students set out to design and build their own gingerbread houses. Along the way, they explored core engineering and design concepts—figuring out how to create stable structures, testing what worked (and what didn’t), and revising their plans in real time. Measuring ingredients, estimating quantities, and balancing shapes brought in math skills, while discussions about structure and materials introduced science thinking in an age-appropriate, accessible way.

Just as important, the activity encouraged artistic expression and teamwork. Each gingerbread house reflected a student’s personality and imagination, while shared supplies and group problem-solving fostered communication, patience, and cooperation. Monica’s warm guidance and classroom expertise helped create an environment where students felt free to experiment, take risks, and learn through play.

This is what After the Bell is all about: extending the school day with enriching experiences that make learning feel fun, relevant, and memorable. Thanks to caring educators like Monica Cervantes, Brookside students are discovering that STEAM learning can happen anywhere—even with a little icing on top.

Shining a Light on Our Students: Join Carver in this Season of Giving

Carver Thanks Near & Far Aid for Its Longstanding Partnership and a New $15,000 Grant Supporting Our Mission

Carver is honored to once again receive generous support from Near & Far Aid, an extraordinary all-volunteer fundraising and grant-making organization that makes a positive impact on thousands of people in Fairfield County by granting over $1 million each year to well-vetted local agencies addressing poverty and changing lives. They have been strengthening Fairfield County communities for more than 75 years.

This year, Near & Far Aid awarded Carver a $15,000 general operating grant, providing essential resources that directly support our year-round programs serving nearly 3,000 children and teens across Norwalk.

This gift continues a partnership that spans many years—one rooted in shared values, a shared commitment to families, and a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Near & Far Aid’s steadfast support has helped Carver expand academic enrichment, STEAM learning, college and career readiness, family engagement, wellness initiatives, and workforce development—programs that depend on flexible funding to remain strong and responsive to student needs.

About Near & Far Aid

Near & Far Aid is a remarkable example of community generosity in action. Entirely volunteer-run, the organization raises and grants more than $1 million annually to over 80–100 local nonprofits working to eliminate the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County. Rather than providing direct services, Near & Far Aid acts as a powerful philanthropic engine—directing funds from gala events, house tours, golf outings, individual supporters, and corporate sponsors straight to frontline agencies creating long-term change.

Its mission focuses on both immediate needs and sustainable solutions, supporting work in:

• housing and homelessness

• hunger and food security

• education and youth development

• family services

• programs empowering women and children

Like Carver, Near & Far Aid has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting exemplary accountability, transparency, and financial stewardship—qualities that have made it one of the most respected anti-poverty grantmakers in Fairfield County since its founding in the 1940s.

Why This Grant Matters

General operating support is among the most meaningful forms of philanthropy. It strengthens the core of Carver’s work—our people, our programs, and our ability to respond to the needs of young people and families in real time. This $15,000 grant will immediately help Carver continue delivering high-quality, research-informed enrichment and support programs across Norwalk’s elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as at the Carver Community Center.

With Gratitude

To Near & Far Aid’s dedicated volunteers, board members, donors, and event supporters: thank you. Your leadership and generosity have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of children and families across our community. Carver is proud to be one of the many local nonprofits strengthened by your compassion and commitment.

We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership and building brighter futures together.

Sweet Creativity at Carver: Jr. YDP Students Build Gingerbread Magic for the Holidays

Carver Middle School students in our Jr. Youth Development Program (Jr. YDP) filled the Carver Community Center with imagination, teamwork, and the unmistakable scent of holiday cheer this week as they designed and built their own gingerbread houses.

What began as a simple seasonal activity quickly turned into an afternoon of creative problem-solving, engineering, and joyful collaboration. Students sketched ideas, experimented with structure and balance, and discovered that icing can make a surprisingly effective adhesive. With candy shingles, pretzel fences, gumdrop pathways, and plenty of laughter, each gingerbread house became a unique expression of its young creators.

Activities like this are more than just fun—they build confidence, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment. They also give students a chance to unwind, bond with peers, and feel the magic of the season in a safe, supportive environment.

We are so proud of our Jr. YDP students for embracing both the challenge and the joy of building something together. Their gingerbread masterpieces—and the smiles that went with them—are a sweet reminder of what makes Carver such a special place for young people to grow and thrive.

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Carver!

Sparkling Creativity: After the Bell Students Make Their Own Holiday Ornaments

There is something magical about creating a keepsake with your own hands—especially during the holiday season. This week, with support from Mrs. Laura, in The Carver’s After the Bell program, elementary students stepped into that magic as they designed and decorated their own holiday ornaments under the joyful guidance of Monica Cervantes, one of Carver’s longtime program leaders who brings boundless creativity to every activity she leads.

What looked like a fun afternoon of glitter, paint, and tiny treasures was also a meaningful learning experience. As students chose colors, patterns, and materials, they practiced creativity, explored self-expression, and took pride in making something uniquely their own. Every careful brushstroke and glued-on detail helped strengthen their fine motor skills, building confidence through hands-on problem-solving.

But perhaps the best part came at the end—when each child held up their finished ornament and imagined where it would hang. For some, it will brighten the family Christmas tree. For others, it will become a cherished gift. And for all of them, it will serve as a small, handmade reminder of a happy moment spent learning, laughing, and creating together after school.

Monica and the entire After the Bell team design activities like this to help students build memories that last far beyond a single season. These ornaments may sparkle for the holidays, but the skills and joy behind them will carry our students into the new year and beyond.