EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish

Silvermine Art Partners bring the arts to Carver elementary school kids!

Our collaborative after-school Art Clubs with the Silvermine Art Center have progressed exceptionally well and are as busy as ever. Images below highlight Silvermine’s signature self-portrait and 3D clay exposure projects with our Carver students. 

Since 1992, Silvermine Art Partners Programs have provided curriculum-based arts education for Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford public schools. Serving over 1000 urban youth annually, Art Partners help close Connecticut’s educational achievement gap—one of the largest in the nation—by providing access to the arts and unique enrichment programs explicitly designed to target critical student needs.

For Carver kids, Silvermine Art Partners teaches watercolor and tempera painting, mixed media techniques including collage and oil pastel, and clay projects where students are taught to score and build in 3D. Silvermine’s after-school participants eagerly anticipate their arrival, are determined to complete assignments, and look forward to bringing artwork home to share with their families.

By providing access to arts education and enrichment, Silvermine seeks to improve social-emotional learning and visual thinking while developing life skills that are key to success in school and life. 

We are deeply grateful to Silvermine for giving the Carver students at Silvermine, Jefferson, Kendall, Wolfpit, and Brookside elementary schools a chance to be exposed to these critical sequential learning projects. 

If anyone wants to inquire about the excellent programs offered by Silvermine Art Partners, please get in touch with Missy Savard, Art Partners Outreach Coordinator, Silvermine Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan, CT 06840, 203.966.9700 x19, www.silvermineart.org.

Carver entrepreneurs show the value of learning at a young age

By Julia Berg

Delwin, a creative student from the K-2 after-school group at the Carver Community Center, has a few Pokemon cards and wants to design his own to place in a shop.

He creates the Pokemon cards using paper, markers, and scissors. He folds the paper carefully, focusing on how to draw the Poké ball so the middle of it lines up with the crease and the ball's circumference almost touches the edges of the card.

Another student in the group, Eliannah, joins him after she finishes her homework.

They make a shop sign by writing ‘open’ and ‘closed’ on sheets of paper and help each other by correcting any misspelled words. Together they carry their supplies to the gym to continue working on it. 

Carver gives these students a good place to complete their homework and dream about and explore future projects.  

Volunteer Julia Berg tells us lively stories about our summer and after-school students at the Carver Community Center. See more of her stories here.

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

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. 

Alvena Watkins works with a group of students in the Carver afternoon school program as they rehearse at Naramake Elementary School, in Norwalk, Conn. Feb. 27, 2023. The students were rehearsing for their part in an upcoming city-wide Black Heritage and History Festival performance.

Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, meets with Carver students

Carver students mine valuable career guidance at our regular Meet the Professionals series held at Norwalk and Brien McMahon High Schools and at the Carver Community Center.

At Brien McMahon High School, Stephanie Thomas, Connecticut Secretary of State, recently visited with our after-school students from both Norwalk high schools.

Secretary Thomas and the students discussed what it means to be a responsible citizen in a vibrant democracy, especially the value and benefits of careers in public service.    

Secretary Thomas is a longtime Carver volunteer and advocate. She has spent her entire career in public service. Prior to her election as Secretary of the State, she served as State Representative of Connecticut's 143rd District - Norwalk, Wilton, and Westport.

Today, she is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is an elected position in the state government and has a term length of four years. Secretary Thomas has held the office since January 2023.

She leads the state’s Legislation and Elections Administration Division, which administers elections and ensures compliance with state and federal election laws. This division is also responsible for maintaining governmental records, administering the Seal of Connecticut, and licensing notaries public. She also leads the Commercial Recording Division, which charters corporations and other business entities.

The duties and responsibilities of the office have grown substantially paralleling the growth of governmental activities in Connecticut. Today, there are more than two hundred and fifty constitutional and statutory mandates affecting Secretary Thomas’ office covering Business Services, Publications, Information Technology, Legislation and Elections Administration, and Management Support Services.

The Carver Meet the Professional series helps students explore and plan for future career endeavors based on their individual interests, skills, and values. Secretary Thomas successfully enhanced the linkage of academic and career experiences like this one to improve their career preparation and management.

Mutual Security Credit Union gifts $2,500 to The Carver in honor of Black History Month

This week, The Carver was delighted to receive guests to 7 Academy Street: the wonderful team at Mutual Security Credit Union! Beyond their warm company, the MSCU team also brought a generous gift of $2,500 dedicated to assisting the efforts of The Carver.

“We admire The Carver Foundation’s mission to close opportunity gaps for all children and to ensure they graduate high school on time and are ready for college and careers,” said Elaine Borrelli, MCSU Marketing Manager. “In honor and celebration of Black History Month, we’ve selected three nonprofits that serve and empower the Black community all year round, including The Carver Foundation of Norwalk, Inc again this year."

Mutual Security Credit Union has remained a pillar of support in Connecticut, committed to elevating and improving the community where their members live, work and play. We are so grateful for their generosity and partnership. Thank you, MSCU, for once again recognizing and supporting the Carver this Black History Month.

Oracle executives guide Carver high school students into exciting careers

L-R: Oracle executives Kellie Hayden, Kathy Morrison, Malin Fagerlund, Tagan Ward, Rosanna Tirrito, and Rod Johnson

Coinciding with National Acts of Kindness Week, local Oracle executives teamed up with Carver for the company’s own 4,000 Acts of Kindness social impact volunteer initiative.

The Oracle volunteers, led by Carver advocate Rod Johnson (Oracle EVP, Applications North America) joined Carver after-school students at Norwalk High School to share stories about their roles at Oracle and the pathways to careers in computer technology and corporate marketing.

Round table conversations engaged our students as they rotated around the room for a jumbo-sized Meet the Professionals session. Carver executive and program staff also participated. Carver high school students at Brien McMahon and Norwalk High Schools connect with professionals throughout the year who help them learn about the careers they want to pursue.

Carver 12th graders Fred Luma, Stephen Nils, and Anthony Harris (Carver after-school paid interns) presented their marketing projects and received guidance and encouragement from the Oracle team.

Our sincerest thanks to Rod Johnson, Malin Fagerlund, Tagan Ward, Kellie Hayden, Rosanna Tirrico, and Kathy Morrison for partnering with Carver “to build lifetime achievers!” 

Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation, the third-largest software company in the world. The company sells database software and technology (particularly its brands), cloud-engineered systems, and enterprise software products, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, human capital management (HCM) software, customer relationship management (CRM) software (also known as customer experience), enterprise performance management (EPM) software, and supply chain management (SCM) software.