Carver Awarded Four State Grants to Expand Free After-School Learning at Six Norwalk Schools

The Carver has been awarded four grants totaling $776,376 in first-year funding through the Connecticut State Department of Education's (CSDE) Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. The awards will support free, high-quality after-school learning opportunities for students at six Norwalk schools, building upon Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and Side by Side Charter School.

The awards are part of a statewide initiative announced October 7 by CSDE, providing approximately $15 million over three years to expand academic enrichment, student supports, and other learning opportunities beyond the traditional school day.

CSDE selected 25 programs for funding beginning in the 2026–27 school year. CSDE selected all four of Carver's proposals for this first group of awards.

Six Schools, Four Grants, One Commitment to Student Success

Carver's new 21st CCLC funding will support programming at:

• Marvin Elementary School and Naramake Elementary School

• Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School:

• Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School

• Side by Side Charter School:

Together, these awards represent nearly $2.5 million in potential funding over three years, subject to continued federal appropriations and compliance with grant requirements.

All students participating in these 21st CCLC-funded programs attend at no cost. This is an important part of Carver's commitment to ensuring that family income does not prevent children from accessing meaningful educational opportunities beyond the school day.

Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Carver's programs combine academic assistance with hands-on enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentoring, wellness, and family engagement.

At Marvin, Naramake, Jefferson, and Silvermine, Carver's Scholars Program emphasizes helping fourth- and fifth-grade students build stronger academic foundations and prepare for the transition to middle school. Students build skills in literacy, mathematics, organization, self-management, leadership, and self-advocacy through STEAM, arts, technology, and other enrichment experiences.

At Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, the grant will strengthen Carver's school-based extended learning opportunities; at Side by Side Charter School, the Future Ready Academy will provide middle-grade students with academic support and enrichment experiences designed to build creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and readiness for future educational opportunities.

Across the programs, Carver will work closely with school administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to connect after-school activities with student needs and school-day learning priorities.

A Statewide Investment in Children and Families

In announcing the awards, Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker emphasized the importance of connecting students, families, schools, and communities through after-school education.

The state's investment recognizes that student success depends on more than classroom instruction alone. Academic support, enriching experiences, positive relationships with caring adults, and opportunities for families to participate in their children's education all contribute to students' growth and well-being.

For Carver, these four grants represent another important investment in a broader educational mission that serves thousands of students annually through school-based and community-based programs in Norwalk and Bridgeport.

They also reinforce the value of partnerships among public schools, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, educators, and families working together to help children succeed.

Carver is grateful to the Connecticut State Department of Education, Norwalk Public Schools, Side by Side Charter School, and the educators and community partners whose collaboration makes these opportunities possible.

As the school year progresses, Carver looks forward to sharing the experiences, accomplishments, and measurable progress of the students participating in these programs.

Read the Connecticut State Department of Education's October 7 announcement.

Today Is DAF Day: Put Your Charitable Giving to Work for Carver Students

October 8, 2026 | A National Day of Giving Through Donor-Advised Funds

Today, Carver joins nonprofits nationwide in recognizing DAF Day, a national initiative that encourages donors to put charitable resources already set aside in donor-advised funds to work strengthening communities and changing lives.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) have become one of the fastest-growing vehicles for charitable giving in the United States. According to the organizers of DAF Day, these funds hold more than $326 billion in charitable assets, representing an extraordinary opportunity to support nonprofit organizations and the people they serve.

What Is a Donor-Advised Fund?

A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving account established through a sponsoring organization, such as a community foundation or financial institution. Donors contribute assets to the fund, potentially receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to eligible nonprofit organizations over time.

For donors who already have a DAF, supporting Carver can be as simple as recommending a grant through their fund administrator.

Your Philanthropy at Work at Carver

Carver works alongside public schools and community partners to expand educational opportunities for young people throughout Norwalk and Bridgeport.

Today, Carver's programs reach thousands of students through after-school enrichment, summer learning, college and career readiness, paid internships, and workforce development initiatives.

Our expanding Carver Edge high school programming is preparing students for success beyond graduation through opportunities ranging from college preparation and student-led communications to professional credentials in emergency medical services and bookkeeping.

Every grant helps sustain and expand opportunities that equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed.

Make an Impact Through Your Donor-Advised Fund

DAF Direct on our Giving page is a convenient way to initiate a grant recommendation from your DAF to Carver. 100% of the funds will transfer to Carver with no administration or transaction fees for using the DAF Direct service.

If you have a donor-advised fund, we invite you to consider recommending a grant to Carver today—or at any time throughout the year.

You may designate your support for a particular Carver initiative or make an unrestricted gift, allowing Carver to direct resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Your charitable commitment has already been made. DAF Day is an opportunity to put that generosity into action for the next generation.

To learn more about DAF Day, visit www.dafday.com.

To discuss supporting Carver through your donor-advised fund, please contact our Director of Philanthropy, Nikki LaFaye, (203) 945-9665/mobile; nikki@the-carver.org.

Thank you for investing in the future of Carver students.

You’re Invited: Join Carver for Our 2026 Annual Meeting / Está Invitado: Acompáñenos en la Reunión Anual 2026 de Carver

Celebrate Fall with Carver Athletics at the Tisdale Fall Festival in Bridgeport!

Carver Athletics is excited to join our community partners in Bridgeport for the Tisdale Fall Festival, a family-friendly afternoon bringing children, families, and neighbors together for fall fun and community connection.

The festival takes place this Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at 250 Hollister Avenue in Bridgeport. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!

Presented by Next Up Sports Academy in collaboration with Carver and other community partners, the festival will feature music, raffles, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, yard games, face painting, cotton candy, food and drinks, local vendors, community activities, and 3-on-3 basketball.

For Carver, the afternoon is also an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships that make it possible to connect with and serve more young people and families throughout Bridgeport. We are grateful to our partners for welcoming Carver Athletics into this community celebration and for sharing our commitment to creating positive experiences for young people.

Bring the family, invite your friends, and join us for an afternoon of fall fun!

Tisdale Fall Festival
Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM
250 Hollister Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
Free Entry

We hope to see you there!

A September of Discovery and Connection at Naramake’s After the Bell

Getting to know one another, exploring new interests, and welcoming families made September a lively start to Carver’s After the Bell (ATB) program at Naramake Elementary School. Led by Lead Program Coordinator Yasmin Baez, the team offered activities that gave children opportunities to express themselves, build friendships, and learn together.

The year began with an “All About Me” project. Younger students shared details about themselves, while older students paired with a buddy and wrote about their partner. Both approaches helped children introduce themselves and discover more about the people sharing their after-school experience.

That spirit of connection continued at Family Engagement Night, where children and their families colored pumpkins together and enjoyed light refreshments. The gathering offered a welcoming opportunity for families to spend time together and connect with the ATB community.

September also brought the start of enrichment activities: basketball with Mr. Rob, an introduction to cooking with Mrs. Imperati, and introductory technology and STEM with Ms. Sweeney. These experiences invite students to try something new, practice skills, and explore interests beyond the school day.

Taking advantage of pleasant weather, students also headed outdoors for a nature walk. Afterward, they discussed what they had observed, turning an afternoon outing into an opportunity to share discoveries and learn from one another.

Thank you to Yasmin and the Naramake ATB team for a September filled with learning and connection—and to the families who joined in the fun. More projects are on the way for October!

Three Norwalk Public Schools High Schools Rank Among Connecticut’s Best

Three Norwalk Public Schools high schools have earned places among Connecticut’s top 100 public high schools in Niche’s 2027 rankings of Connecticut’s 210 public high schools. The Center for Global Studies ranked No. 14, P-TECH Norwalk No. 41, and Brien McMahon High School No. 55.

Carver congratulates the students, teachers, and school leaders at all three schools. These rankings recognize school communities where young people learn, find their strengths, and prepare for what comes next. We are proud of the dedication students bring to that work every day and of the educators who guide and encourage them.

As a partner of Norwalk Public Schools, Carver has the privilege of supporting students’ learning beyond the school day, from early grades through high school. We celebrate this recognition with our NPS partners and look forward to continuing our work together for every Norwalk student.

From Curiosity to Careers: How Carver Helps Students Explore What’s Next

September is National Workforce Development Month. It is a time to recognize the people and programs that help young people build skills for the future. At Carver, that work begins long before a student applies for a job.

Across our K–12 programs, students have opportunities to discover interests, try new things, and grow more confident in what they can do. In elementary school, hands-on enrichment invites children to ask questions, solve problems, create, and work with others. These experiences build curiosity and persistence while making learning engaging beyond the school day.

As students move through middle school, Carver helps them connect what they are learning to the world around them. Academic support, enrichment, and opportunities to explore new interests give students room to develop their strengths and begin imagining different futures.

In high school, those possibilities become more concrete. Through Carver Edge, students can explore college and careers, develop their voices, and pursue opportunities that match their goals. Paid internships offer experience in a workplace. New pathways, including EMT and bookkeeping training, are designed to help students work toward professional credentials before graduation.

Workforce development is about more than preparing for a first job. Students also need communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and the confidence to pursue a path they may not yet know exists. Carver educators and staff help students build those skills at every stage, from an elementary school activity that sparks a new interest to a high school internship that turns an interest into experience.

National Workforce Development Month reminds us that tomorrow’s workforce is in today’s classrooms and afterschool programs. Carver is proud to help students in Norwalk and Bridgeport discover what they enjoy, see where it might lead, and take their next steps with purpose.

Introducing Carver Edge: More Ways for High School Students to Explore What’s Next

What sparks a student’s curiosity? For one teen, it might be telling a story through a podcast. For another, it might be building a robot, exploring a health career, or learning what it takes to succeed in a first job.

This school year, Carver is introducing Carver Edge, a new set of opportunities shaped around high school students’ interests and future goals. Students can choose focused activities offered in cycles of up to 15 weeks, giving them room to try something new and develop practical skills.

Carver Edge offerings include podcast production through Carver Voice; career preparation workshops covering interviews, résumés, and workplace communication; and Carver Innovators, where students can explore activities such as robotics, drones, chess, and coding. Health and wellness activities will support students’ physical and emotional well-being.

Students age 16 and older can also pursue driver education or longer-term bookkeeping and EMT credential programs. For ninth graders interested in leadership and working with children, the Counselor in Training program will offer supervised job-shadowing in Carver’s elementary school programs. Students who successfully complete that program will be eligible for a guaranteed paid Junior Counselor position in a Carver summer program.

Carver Edge adds to Carver’s existing Senior Youth Development Program, which continues to provide academic support and enrichment. Students may participate in both, combining help with schoolwork and opportunities to explore their interests.

As Carver Edge develops, student interests and feedback will help shape future offerings. The goal is to give young people more ways to discover their strengths, build confidence, and take their next steps toward college, careers, and life beyond high school.

From Kindergarten to High School: A Summer of Learning and Discovery with Carver

For 1,034 students, summer with Carver meant more than a break from the school year. Across 13 summer programs, children and teens explored new interests, strengthened academic skills, built friendships, and prepared for the grades ahead.

In Bridgeport, Carver’s Kick-Off to Kindergarten program welcomed 75 incoming kindergarteners across six classrooms. Through early literacy, math, science, and activities that supported social and emotional growth, students began building the confidence to enter school ready to learn.

In Norwalk, summer enrichment camps brought learning and recreation together. Certified teachers led hands-on math and literacy activities, while students made time for art, physical play, and trips to places including the Maritime Aquarium, Stepping Stones Museum, and the Bronx Zoo. At Kendall Elementary School, Carver also extended the Norwalk Public Schools Summer Academy day with afternoon enrichment, recreation, and wellness activities.

Summer provided a chance to prepare for a new school. Carver’s middle school transition programs served 246 rising sixth graders, helping them get to know their new schools and peers through academic projects, enrichment, and shared experiences. High school transition programs served 61 rising ninth graders, with activities designed to strengthen academic and social readiness as students approached their first year of high school.

Learning also took students beyond the classroom. Through Carver’s partnership with Ridgebury Farms, campers spent time with animals and explored nature in sessions guided by a licensed mental health counselor. At the Ecology School in Maine, 85 students in grades 6–10 took part in outdoor activities ranging from canoeing and tide pool exploration to gardening and birdwatching. Returning students arrived early to welcome the new sixth-grade participants, putting their own leadership skills into practice.

From a child’s first steps toward kindergarten to a teenager’s preparation for high school, each program offered a different way to grow. Together, they made summer a season of learning, connection, and discovery for Carver students.

Our Cultures, Our Voices, Our Strength: Carver Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 through October 15, Carver proudly joins Norwalk Public Schools in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

This observance holds special meaning for the Carver community. Nearly 60% of the students we serve identify as Hispanic, and more than half of all NPS students proudly share this heritage. The languages, traditions, experiences, and aspirations of Hispanic students and families are therefore not simply part of an annual celebration; they are essential to the identity and vitality of Carver, our schools, and Norwalk itself.

Every day, Carver students bring their cultures and perspectives into classrooms, after-school programs, summer learning, leadership activities, creative projects, internships, and college and career preparation. Their voices strengthen our programs, deepen our understanding of one another, and help shape our community's future.

Hispanic and Latino Americans have made lasting contributions as educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, artists, scientists, advocates, and leaders. Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to learn more about those contributions while also recognizing the young people in our own community who are building upon that legacy.

The celebration begins on September 15 because that date marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, followed by Chile on September 18. What began as a week-long national observance in 1968 expanded to a full month in 1988, allowing more time to honor the remarkable breadth and diversity of Hispanic heritage.

That diversity will take center stage at the fifth annual NPS Hispanic Heritage Festival on Thursday, October 22, from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. at Brien McMahon High School.

This year’s theme—“UNIDOS, SOMOS MÁS: TOGETHER, WE ARE MORE”—beautifully expresses the spirit of both NPS and Carver. Students will share powerful performances in dance, music, visual arts, theater, and spoken word, celebrating the traditions, creativity, and achievements of Hispanic cultures.

Carver’s long-standing partnership with NPS is rooted in the belief that students thrive when schools, families, and community organizations work together. Cultural understanding and belonging are vital parts of that work. When students see their identities respected and their voices welcomed, they are better positioned to learn, lead, and imagine what is possible.

During Hispanic Heritage Month—and throughout the year—we celebrate our Hispanic students, families, educators, staff members, and community partners. We are grateful for all they contribute to Carver and Norwalk.

Together, we honor where we come from. Together, we elevate every voice. Together, we are more.