Our Spring College Tour Begins!

This is the largest Spring College Tour group ever and more boys than girls! We are on a path to ensure a higher college admission rate for our young men. We have 20 boys and 15 girls, and seven chaperones on the trip this year. This adventure is led each year by our CEO, Novelette Peterkin.

They set off at 10:30 AM from the Carver Community Center on Saturday with a sleepover stop in Richmond, VA. They continued Sunday to Columbia, South Carolina, where they stayed the evening.

Following breakfast at the hotel, they departed this morning for Benedict College. They will then move on to Allen University this afternoon.

Tomorrow morning, the group will travel to Orangeburg, SC to visit South Carolina State University in the morning and then to Claflin University in the afternoon.

Carver students are being introduced to the rigors and joys of a college education. School administrators, admissions and financial aid officers, college students (including former Carver after-school and summer students), and others welcome our visiting students to their respective college campuses and make presentations, and simply make them feel at home. Whether asking questions, touring the campuses, or sharing meals with former Carver peers now excelling at these excellent schools, the goal is to motivate each visiting Carver student to envision their futures as successful college students. 

Here are some reasons why our students love the Carver college tours (also, we take day trips to visit nearby colleges throughout the year).

1.     You won’t really know how you feel about a place until you’ve been there. A college catalog, view book, or website can only show you so much.

2.     The college information sessions and the campus tours will give you a better idea of what the college is like and if you would be happy there.

3.     A small investment in time now can save significant time, money, and hassles during the college application period.

4.     You’ll understand the college’s vibrancy, character, and facilities. Visits will provide you with a complete picture.

5.     College tours allow students to ask questions, meet other prospective students, and understand the college more deeply.

6.     How you feel about schools once you visit in person may affect the direction your college search and application process takes. College visits help you to refine your search.

7.     Applying to college is a complex process, and visits to campuses will serve you best if you use them as a research tool rather than a final decision-making aid.

8.     Time, energy, and money are finite resources, and you want to use them wisely throughout the application process. First-hand knowledge will help you to clarify your vision and narrow your list.

9.     Most colleges love students who are sincerely interested; visiting colleges is one way to show this.

10.  You want to be able to relax and make a fully informed choice once you have been accepted. If you’ve already visited those schools at least once, that’s just what you will be able to do.

Watch here on this Carver blog in April for reports from the colleges our students visit!

Roz McCarthy at The Hour reports on the beautiful new South Norwalk school called SONO!

Norwalk is building the new Sono School building (South Norwalk School) from the ground up. The school makes use of hands-on learning and community input. Friday, March 31, 2023, Norwalk, Conn.

New Sono neighborhood school designed to feed souls, hearts and minds of children, By Roz McCarthy

Blog Post Note: Carver provides the before- and after-school programming for this new school

They also care for each other. When one boy was crying inconsolably after his block structure collapsed, a child handed him a stuffed animal to hug.  A second child brought a tissue to wipe his eyes. A third child rubbed his back.

Yogi Berra, the legendary Yankee catcher, was famous for saying, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”  For the school on Chestnut St, once named Columbus School, there is indeed a feeling that we’ve been here before. For the second time in my 50 years of living in Norwalk, Columbus School is being redesigned for a new student body.

Kindergartner Bryson Delgado reads “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” with Paraeducator Taijek Mikel.

In 1979, Columbus School was closed as a segregated neighborhood school and reopened as Columbus Magnet School. Children from all over Norwalk could apply to the school that emphasized hands-on learning and the arts. Instruction in reading, science, math and social studies were integrated together. Parents were encouraged to be actively engaged in the school. The new school was popular, and families were soon clamoring to enroll their children.

Columbus Magnet School is now Concord Magnet School, and it has moved into a building next to Ponus Ridge Middle School. The old Columbus building has reopened as a neighborhood school, temporarily named the Sono School. The new student body will be those who live in South Norwalk, and the curriculum will emphasize the needs of the community. 

…What does social justice look like to 4 and 5-year olds?  “It’s how children interact with each other,” said Rhinehart. “It’s highlighting each child’s strengths and working together. It’s getting along, honoring diversity, and making sure everyone has a voice.”

One of the pre-K classes is a 50-50 blend of special education students who have IEP’s (individualized education plans) and general education students.  “I love how the general ed kids are the role models for the kids with IEP’s, and the other way around,” said teacher Nicolette Lopez.  “They really just help each other.  I see the love that they have for their peers.”

One kindergarten class is filled with MLL students – multi-language learners.  All the children spoke Spanish as their first language, and the teacher and two paraprofessionals are bilingual.

“I use lots of visuals in the classroom,” said teacher Irvania Sanchez, “and I often pair students with strong English skills with a child who has less English.  They help each other.”…

Meet the Professionals: Jay Hinton talks personal and community success at NHS

Our Meet the Professionals series puts students in the room with leaders and innovators across varied professions. Our latest Meet the Professionals brought Priceline’s VP of Financial Operations, Jay Hinton, to our Carver students at Norwalk High School.

Jay Hinton has had well over 20 jobs in myriad companies since he began working his first paper route at age 11. A commitment to hard work and volunteerism was modeled from an early age by his parents: his father retired from the railroad after a 37-year-long career, and his mother, who began her career in civil rights, retired as a social worker. Through their example and inclusion, Jay became not only personally successful but promoted success in his surrounding community. “I’ve been involved with volunteer work, mostly with children, virtually all my life. It’s my privilege to share some of my reflections as the guest speaker for Meet The Professionals.”

On March 13th, Jay was an open book for our students: “I was able to speak with a group of roughly 20 young black men about my background, education, career, and path to success. We then had a great Q&A session in which I gave them full permission to ask anything they wanted. They asked about general knowledge topics like budgeting, saving money, buying a house, buying a hotel, and a range of other concepts and ideas. They also asked about more personal topics like leaving troubled friends behind and moving forward in life, HBCUs (as I’m a grateful graduate of Florida A&M University), and how I figured out what I wanted to do as a profession. It was uplifting for me and, by far, the best part of my week.”

Our students were equally uplifted to have the opportunity to discuss these topics with Jay. Several of our young men at NHS are members of The Carver’s Youth With Purpose group: a program that supports 9th and 10th grade boys as they learn to become community leaders. YWP focuses on building relationships, resolving conflicts, social-emotional intelligence, and community service. Jay’s advice and spirit of giving served to build upon that foundation.

“Reflecting on that discussion, I was reminded of a lesson I learned many years ago at St. Philips Catholic School in Columbus, Ohio,” Jay wrote, “about being a thankful giver. It was one of the many life lessons I learned, despite some of my best efforts, from Sister Mary Anacita Pitstick. The essence of her message was that because we are so blessed when we are able to give, we are fortunate. We are to be thankful not only for being able to give but also for the opportunity to give. That’s one of the many reasons why I’m so thankful for the Carver. The Carver makes it so easy for us to give of our time, talents, and treasure, however and whenever we are best able, that it almost feels like cheating. So, I send a deep and sincere thank you to The Carver for giving me the opportunity to share my insights with those young leaders of tomorrow because it was I who left feeling truly blessed.”

We at the Carver are deeply grateful to Jay for being such a fantastic friend, leader, and inspiring example for our kids. The effect of his Meet the Professionals is sure to ripple outward, as profound kindness often does. Thank you, Jay!

Norwalk Youth Carver Travel Team wins the Fairfield County Basketball League AA Championship!

On March 11th, our Norwalk Youth Carver (NYC) 8th Grade Boys Travel Team emerged victorious from the FCBL AA Championship at Weston High School! After going head-to-head with the Milford Knights in the final round of the tournament, our athletes won 66 -57. We are so proud of our Youth Travel Teams and are ecstatic on behalf of the 8th Grade Boys and Coach TJ Trimboli for their achievement.

Team success was also joined by player success: Ryan Trimboli won the One-on-One Skill Competition for 8th Grade Boys! Last year, Ryan led the Roton basketball team in 3 pointers. He has stated that hopes to continue to play basketball through college at the University of North Carolina before becoming a coach like his father.

"Congratulations to NYC 8th grade boys on winning FCBL AA tournament. Once again, they brought home a trophy. Also I would like to say, great job Ryan! Those boys are true champions, well deserved!" - Shannon Bates, Carver’s Recreation Coordinator.

Sign Up NOW for Spring Soccer and/or Spring Tennis!

Beatrice Low brings Women's History Month to Carver Community Center kids

Familiar face at the Carver Center and CEO of BeHASSTic, Beatrice Low completed her 3rd Women in History display just beyond our community center foyer.

A one-of-a-kind social entrepreneur, Beatrice has been a long time Carver friend and partner. Since the summer of 2021, her team at BeHASSTic has provided programs in HASST (Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Technology) to Carver kids. This Women’s History Month, Beatrice herself brought our Community Center kids a comprehensive board on women’s history, highlighting African American women leaders:

“From the nation’s beginning, African American women added an intellectually diverse landscape of ideas to the solution for racism and oppression. They have had to overcome the double bind of racism and sexism, which marginalized them within both women’s and civil rights movements. Yet, they persevered to provide rich, vibrant voices to the chorus of American freedom, justice, and independence.”

We thank Beatrice for her continued service alongside Carver and for the beautifully wrought and poignant addition to our front hall. Happy Women’s History Month!

You can learn more about Beatrice and BeHASSTic at https://www.behasstic.org/.

Teen Night Out this Friday, March 31, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, at 25 Van Zant Street—4th Floor!

Click on the image above to sign-up!

SIGN UP HERE for the Norwalk Department of Youth Services Youth Advisory Board and The Norwalk Partnership's first Teen Night Out event this Friday, March 31, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, at 25 Van Zant Street—4th Floor.

Norwalk youth are invited to voice what type of youth-based events they would like, especially for high and middle school students. Youth-serving groups in Norwalk, such as faith ministers, scout leaders, sports coaches, and enrichment program directors, are also invited.

Norwalk Youth Services is operated for the evaluation, planning, coordination, and implementation of prevention and treatment services for youth. It also allows youth to develop positively to function as responsible community members. The Youth Services Department supports and promotes local organizations that provide services to children & families. 

The Norwalk Partnership (TNP) brings together community agencies, schools, and parent leaders to gather data, develop strategies, and provide education and resources that support our youth and families.

"Champions" shine a light on their careers so that Carver kids never feel they are in the dark

Carver’s annual “Breakfast With Champions” event at the Carver Community Center introduces Carver students to local leaders in various professions.

Our guest speakers inspire Carver students to use these years in school to prepare for satisfying careers.

The organizers of this annual event are Tremain Gilmore and Jackie C. Roberson, who we thank for always shining a bright light so that Carver kids never feel they are in the dark.

CT State Representative Travis Simms

Special thanks to our panelists for spending time with our young people.

This year, our Champions were: Jessica Romeus, Vice President, HR Business Advisor, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and a Carver alumna; Edward Green, Probation Supervisor, Juvenile Court, Stamford; Dujuan Higgins, Founder & Executive Director of the Youth Business Initiative; Ethel Moore, Social Worker, and Entrepreneur; Chiara Askew Oliver, Supply Chain Financial Analyst at PDC Brands and a Carver Alumna; Travis Simms, a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives who previously served on Norwalk's Common Council and before that was a professional world champion boxer; Rhea Gorham, Carver’s Program Coordinator at P-TECH Norwalk and a Carver alumna; Jay Rogers, Director Payroll & Benefits Administration, Bridgeport Public Schools; Brendy Franco, Social Worker at Norwalk High School; and Montrel Morrison, also a Social Worker at Norwalk High School.

These professionals spoke to and answered the questions of our middle and high school and college students and their families.

This annual program aims to gather "champions of the community" to encourage youth to work smartly and prepare for their futures.

Abbeli and Camilla share an afternoon of creativity and collaboration

By Julia Berg

A group of K-2 girls are gathered around a table, drawing in Ms. Kat’s room.

Abbeli and Camilla look through Abbeli’s sketchbook and come across a self-portrait that she did. Abbeli decides that she wants to draw a portrait of Camilla, and together they discuss the design, showing each other their suggestions from other drawings in the sketchbook and then choosing which details they want to add.

Abbeli then draws the portrait of Camilla and adds purple eyeliner to Camilla’s portrait. Abbeli likes the effect so much that she adds purple eyeliner to her portrait.

Abbeli then cuts the drawing out of the paper for Camilla to wear as a mask.

Camilla's smile lets Abbeli know that she likes the mask. Abbeli then cuts out her mask from her self-portrait.

Both smiling, the girls are content with their matching masks. It has been an afternoon of creativity and collaboration at Carver.

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.

GE Capital executives give Marvin Elementary students hands-on engineering experience.

Carver students at Marvin Elementary had a real treat last week when they engaged in a STEM activity led by the best in the business: GE Capital! Kayshelene Lyew and her team came bearing putty, wires, and batteries to teach our 4th and 5th graders how to construct simple motors.

Our students jumped in with gusto, amazed by what even simple materials can yield. GE impressed that the same basic principles at play in this activity applied to larger STEM endeavors. In fact, they are the building blocks for the complex work that makes GE Capital a titan of industry. From electronic equipment to massive aircraft engines, invention begins with understanding the little things. It all starts with simple motors.

Thank you to Kay and her team for providing our kids with this experience!