Carver rising 6th graders just returned from a traditional New England sleepaway camp in Maine. They explored the woods, waters, and fields of The Ecology School at the River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre farm located on a scenic bend in the Saco River, just twenty minutes from the Maine coast. Next year, this initial cohort of students will return along with the next group of rising 6th graders that follow them.

We operate 12 distinct summer programs for more than 1,000 students this summer throughout Norwalk. Carver campers have a sense of community, develop intergenerational relationships, and learn through first-hand experiences. Trained, caring adult role models help children feel loved, capable, and included. Camp helps children grow by providing a supervised, positive environment that has safety as a primary commitment.

Carver summer transition programs are designed to help incoming 6th and 9th-grade students transition into Norwalk’s four middle and two high schools. Programming includes individualized instruction, parental involvement, small group learning experiences, diverse enrichment activities, free transportation, and full-day activities benefiting working families. Students learn the basics of navigating their respective new schools. The incoming 9th-graders learn how to read a transcript, understand graduation requirements, earn credits in courses, and look ahead to potential career options. Students use Naviance/Family Connection to develop an individualized Student Success Plan.

For students ages 5 through 13 years old, we have the Summer Enrichment Programs at the Carver Community Center and Columbus Magnet School. In addition to play and fun, these summer experiences offer project-based and hands-on personalized learning to prepare students for the coming school year. Our summer literacy program, facilitated by certified teachers, uses the myON and Lexia Reading Core 5 software to provide personalized learning. NPS-certified teachers also teach math sessions, the two primary programs are TimezAttack and ThinkCentral. TimezAttack is a computer-based math fact game that strongly supports fact fluency. ThinkCentral is the online component of the GO Math Common Core math program used in NPS K-5 classes.

There are summer learning programs at Side by Side Charter School and numerous elementary schools for our After the Bell students.

We will be reporting here often about all these experiences our children will be having this summer!