Chalk Talk: The Carver partners with Norwalk schools to solve problems: 'That's what we do best'

Roz McCarthy

NORWALK — Tucked away on Academy St behind a car dealership, The George Washington Carver Community Center is hard to find. The street is bumpy and some neighboring buildings are vacant.

But the Carver, as it has been affectionately known for 85 years and is now officially named, is a powerhouse. The Carver runs more than 50 educational programs in Norwalk: 11 before-and-after-school programs in the elementary schools, summer programs for incoming sixth and ninth graders, middle and high school programs, and internship programs. It provides more than $130,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.

Novelette Peterkin, chief executive officer, for the past 18 years, has grown the budget of the Carver from $800,000 to more than $9.6 million. The Carver employs 452 employees during the school year and 136 people in the summer.

Peterkin began small, with 50 kids at two middle schools. “I said to the principals I want to design an after-school program for you. I want to hire your teachers and paras and have certified educators design high-quality enrichment programs where children learn by doing.”

On Feb. 23, 45 children in Naramake Elementary School attended the Fifth Grade Scholars program, a free program run by the Carver at nine elementary schools. When school was dismissed, the children played outside, ate a snack, and then got down to work, guided by five certified teachers who work in the school.

Led by fifth grade teacher Alvena Watkins, the kids began rehearsing a skit for the city-wide Black History Day celebration, set to take place the following week.

“3-2-1,” said Watkins with a snap of her fingers. The room quieted instantly. She assigned 16 roles for the skit about the Harlem Renaissance and led the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the opening of their skit. For the next hour, they rehearsed. Watkins directed them to speak louder and with more expression. One boy practically jumped over the table to say his line, “Hold up! Something ain’t right!”

And then it was time to film. Using a hand-held tripod that held an iPhone, light, and microphone, third grade teacher Jonathan Hernandez was the cameraman, Watkins the director, and two teachers led the chorus and moved children around. By 5 pm, the first take was completed, ending with a rousing rendition of a jazz song.

“We try to make it fun and engaging,” said Watkins. “It’s more than just homework time. The academics are focused on social studies and science topics.”

Novelette Peterkin believes that when there is a need in the community, the Carver’s role is to use the resources of the school, the knowledge of the educators, and the funding she is tireless in pursuing to meet that need.

Years ago, she learned that many children could not attend the Carver’s programs because of transportation issues. She approached a donor who said if she raised half, he would give the other half. “Now every program has a bus, and some have two,” she said. Her current budget for transportation is $400,000 per year.

“We want to eliminate all the barriers,” she said. “That’s what we do best. We help the district solve problems, and we work closely with the Norwalk Public Schools.”

When NPS data showed that sixth graders were struggling academically after they entered middle school, the Carver team helped design a program to work with fifth grade teachers. Then they created a five-week summer transition program for kids that was held in their new middle school, taught by middle school teachers.

The program is now in nine elementary schools and all four middle schools.

When data showed that ninth graders had similar academic slippage, a high school program was designed as well. For five weeks, incoming ninth graders in the high schools take academic courses in the morning and spend their afternoons in enrichment activities and on field trips.

“The district sees the value of what we do, and we partner together to go after funding,” she said. The result has been a five-year federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.

At the high school level, the Carver Youth Develop Program provides academic support. Running from 2:30-4:30 pm, four days a week, certified teachers help the students with their academic work and enrichment activities.

“Our program is forward-thinking,” said English teacher Sarah Molinelli, lead coordinator of the Brien McMahon High School Youth Development Program, known as YDP. “We want our kids to think about how they are going to reach their goals, so they can be successful for themselves and for the community at large.”

On Feb. 27, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas spoke to the YDP kids at Brien McMahon as part of the regular Meet the Professionals program that the Carver offers. She spoke of her own struggles to overcome poverty, stuttering and shyness, and she urged them to learn how government can work to improve their lives.

And the Carver offers its famous college tour. For 51 years, the Carver has offered a tour of major colleges and universities including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during April break. Molinelli said 17 BMHS kids are going this year, and they have raised thousands of dollars through bake sales, pizza sales, and other fundraising activities.

Peterkin thinks big. Fifty programs funded by $9.6 million is only a beginning for her. “We met and exceeded every goal in our 2015 strategic plan,” she said. Now she and her team are implementing the 2020 strategic plan that envisions even more growth with more programs in more schools.