Let the city know your thoughts about the redevelopment of the area around the South Norwalk train station

The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency seeks your input in a survey concerning the area around the South Norwalk train station.

Under the guidance of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the City of Norwalk, a study of the area surrounding the South Norwalk Train Station is underway.

Part of their goal is to give the public opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas on potential changes and improvements to the area. Earlier in the year, they organized the first public meeting and are aiming for the next to happen in the fall.

In the meantime, they are currently circulating this survey to help the city learn more from those who live in, work in and visit Norwalk. The survey is being mailed, emailed, posted online like this blog post, and, hopefully, shared by you and many other Norwalk community members. 

 Would you please share this invitation for participation with your networks—your organization’s network, your social network, and your personal network—the link to the survey for them to complete the questionnaire and ask them to send it to others?  

The image below contains a short explanation, links to the survey and more information, and a QR code to the survey for people to scan.

Thank you for helping us give the people of Norwalk a chance to contribute to the conversation.

West Rocks rising 6th graders soar at Sky Zone!

If Carver kids ever watched the Olympics and thought "I could totally do that," today was their chance. Our rising 6th graders enjoyed all of the fun when they tried their Olympic moves out at Sky Zone in Norwalk.

Sky Zone is the originator of wall-to-wall aerial action, and they never stand still. They’re always working to invent epic new ways to play, gather, and compete. The only way to understand it is to come to experience it.

And that is just what Mr. Micheal Richards, West Rock Middle School’s 6th-grade social studies teacher and leader of our summer transition program for rising 6th graders, and his summer students did today.

Our West Rocks summer students let go of gravity today and grabbed some air on the sprawling wall-to-wall trampoline courts. They challenged each other to show off their inner acrobat.

The Foam Zone is all about big air and soft landings. This is the ideal area to practice their most daring stunts safely into a pool of huge foam squares. Part trampolining, part parkour, part skating vert ramp,

The Wall added an entirely new dimension to the aerial experience, offering a canvas for a different type of expression—no harness necessary. Carver kids put their strength and stamina to the test as they hang over the pit, free climbing this challenging bouldering wall.

Carver kids reached new heights while flipping and jumping and climbing today!

Sky Zone is part of CircusTrix, the world’s largest developer, operator, and franchisor of trampoline and active entertainment parks with a network of more than 300 global locations.

Maritime Aquarium sea creatures visit rising 6th graders at West Rocks Middle School

The Maritime Aquarium is a longtime Carver before and after-school and summer program partner.

They are integral to our STEAM project-based and hands-on learning experiences.

Our students also regularly visit the aquarium where they get to know the five seals there, Ariel, Leila, Polly, Rasal, and Tillie — and much else! These seals have even more room now to swim and relax now that have the new addition just opened that evokes their natural environment: a classic New England cove.

Here are West Rocks rising 6th graders being introduced to their new school — and Long Island Sound sea creatures — by Michael Richards, the school’s 6th grade Social Studies Teacher, who also leads our summer and after-school programs there.

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.

Kids Helping Kids youth donate 120 backpacks bursting with school supplies for Carver kids!

Kids Helping Kids (KHK) is a nonprofit partner that empowers kids to turn empathy into action by designing and implementing service projects that benefit other children in the community.

All their projects are created, planned, and led by youth. They provide meaningful and enriching experiences, foster personal connections, help youth develop critical 21st-century skills, and fill a need for kids throughout the community such as Carver students.

KHK volunteers are elementary through high school students who are looking for opportunities to make an impact in their community. The unique KHK model provides an opportunity for kids to become actively engaged in their community while developing critical skills, finding their voice as leaders, and making service a part of their lives.

Thank you KHK for equipping Carver kids for the upcoming school year!

Vaccination is easy, accessible & convenient in Norwalk this week!

There are multiple opportunities to receive the #COVID19 vaccine this week. Clinics are offered with different vaccines, various times, & multiple locations. More: http://norwalkct.org/vaccine.

Carver kids beginning another week of fun and discovery

While math, reading, and writing have an important place, Carver summer enrichment opportunities are full of science experiments, gardening, and time to socialize. There are many team-building activities that engage students and give them a chance to collaborate and see the strength and fun in working with others. Here are a few more images of our students at the Carver Community Center this summer.

Carver summer campers go bowling today!

Rising 6th graders attending our summer transition programs at Ponus Ridge and West Rocks Middle Schools went to Bowlmor this afternoon to enjoy a fun time together.

Bowling provides many benefits for youth including educational, social, psychological, and health benefits. Bowling is an equal opportunity lifetime sport!

Over 200 colleges offer collegiate bowling, with many of these schools providing scholarship opportunities. The bowling industry generates over $6 million in scholarships each year. Bowling meets the five standards for physical education set by SHAPE America. Bowling promotes learning math skills by calculating scores, figuring averages, and learning mathematical systems to adjust to lane conditions and spare shooting. Advanced bowling incorporates physics and science including understanding friction, ball motion, and biomechanics to name a few.

But ask any of our students and they’ll likely report that they simply had a lot of fun today — which is the secret component of all of Carver’s after-school and summer programming!

Snapshots of Summer 2021!

Maritime Aquarium, Ice Skating, New Pond Farm, Yoga, STEM projects, Ballet, Cooking, and so much more!

New Canaan Community Foundation renews its support of the Carver community

We are deeply grateful to the New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) for renewing its generous support of our after-school programs for the upcoming school year.

Since 1977, NCCF has invested in high-impact local organizations such as Carver and in doing so has helped donors achieve their philanthropic goals. NCCF brings the people of New Canaan together to address both individual and local challenges, enriching the lives of all community members.

NCCF achieves its mission by partnering with community members. NCCF helps each individual, family, or organization achieve its philanthropic goals. The Foundation educates and supports volunteer leaders of all ages to guide and maximize the impact of NCCF in the community. The Foundation mobilizes thoughtful grant investments and other resources to respond to local needs. The Foundation convenes community leaders, experts, and residents to address community-wide issues that affect New Canaan.

NCCF engages many volunteers who help to deepen the Foundation’s engagement with over 100 local organizations.

Thank you, New Canaan Community Foundation!

Student art exhibition on Friday, 8/6/21, at 1:30PM at the Norwalk Art Space!

Carver’s 9th Grade Summer Transition Program at Brien McMahon High School (BMHS) will have an art exhibition at the Norwalk Art Space on Friday, August 6th at 1:30 PM.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a new corporate collaborative organized by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Carver was awarded a $50,000 grant for our summer transition program for rising 9th graders at Norwalk’s two high schools.

Thanks to the Fairfield County Corporate Collaborative for Education Equity, Carver’s rising 9th graders at Brien McMahon and Norwalk High Schools have been taking classes this summer in English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Visual & Performing Arts, and "High School 101" along with various enrichment activities over the course of 5 weeks.

Enrichments include free rowing classes provided by the Norwalk River Rowing Association, art classes by the Norwalk Art Space, cooking classes, physical education, peer mentorships, college tours, and BMHS Career Pathways 4-day Bootcamp.

Resident artists and fellows in the newly renovated building now housing The Norwalk Art Space, located just around the corner from the Carver Community Center.

This art exhibition is the culminating experience for the students modeled after an IB Exhibition where artifacts and ideas from the program are shared with school staff, families, and community members in a public setting.

One of the goals of our summer transition program for rising 9th graders is to expose them to the IB Learner Profile. The core curriculum and exhibition are based on the BMHS school-wide rubrics modeled on the IB Learner Profile.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. The profile aims to develop learners who are: Inquirers; Knowledgeable; Thinkers; Communicators; Principled'; Open-minded; Caring; Risk-takers; Balanced; and Reflective.

The RISE Network (a Dalio Education program) is providing our 9th Grade Summer Transition Program at BMHS with two counselors who offer many supports, including social/emotional and academic support.

For more information about the art exhibition, please contact Alexander Meli, 9th Grade Summer Transition Program Coordinator, Brien McMahon High School, (203) 666-2059.

Spread the word! Our students’ art exhibition will inspire all of Norwalk!