Carver is a provider of solutions. We create programs in the after-school and summer context, but everything is designed to uniquely fit the needs of each of the schools in which we operate. Daytime certified teachers and paraprofessionals are the ones who implement Carver after-school programs, so they are also attuned to the social and emotional needs of their students.
Carver’s virtual after-school academic, enrichment and wellness programming is reaching our Norwalk public school students in nine elementary, four middle and two high schools, in Side By Side Charter School, the Carver Community Center, and in the Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport.
Utilizing the Zoom or Google teleconferencing platforms, our teachers might begin their daly sessions (3:30PM to 6:00PM) by asking how each of their students is doing, inviting a “show and tell” moment, or just taking the time to say hello to each other.
Students receive support with their schoolwork and homework. Having access to many hundreds of online learning tools, our teachers provide their students with the support and enrichment opportunities they need. Project-based activities also provide family engagement opportunities.
Our elementary students can use GoNoodle, for example, to stretch, dance, and laugh at home for a much needed break. The teacher might then take his or her students on virtual field trips to famous landmarks, museums, and even into outer space. The enrichment block might include stories, Kahoot! Trivia quiz games, and so much else.
Our middle school students begin each session with a social-emotional check-in, followed by a physical wellness activity, and then virtual field trips and other enrichment activities such as art and science projects. Students receive help with their daily school day homework. For the first time in 50 years, Carver had to cancel its annual spring break college tour because of the stay-at-home order to fight the pandemic. In its place, we created a database of all the 360-virtual college campus tours available across the country.
In addition to some of the programming elements described above, our high school students enjoy Rap Tuesday, a co-ed group led by a social worker and teacher when students discuss relevant topics that can be challenging or sensitive. There is Wild-Out Wednesday, a discussion and critique of current cultural events and issues. Throw Back Thursday invites nostalgic and often a humorous examination of music, pop culture, and technology that no longer hold any appeal.
It is online learning's big moment. But long with significant academic needs and modest successes, children are also experiencing stress, anxiety, and a sense of loss. A missed sports season, a canceled prom and graduation ceremony may seem small compared to the national losses that we're seeing around us. But it's important to realize that to children these losses loom very large in their lives. So we are doing everything we can to help our students process this and to be there for them.
