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Celebrating STEAM Education on National STEAM Day

Today, November 8th, is National STEAM Day! STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. This day recognizes the importance of STEAM education at all levels, from elementary school through college.

STEAM subjects play a vital role in shaping young minds and preparing students for the jobs of the future. With the world becoming increasingly tech-driven, it's more important than ever that we provide quality STEAM education. Strong STEAM skills help develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

On National STEAM Day, we celebrate our dedicated educators who make STEAM subjects come alive. From science experiments to coding classes and art projects, talented teachers find ways to engage students' natural curiosity. Their passion and commitment to STEAM education inspire the next generation of innovators, inventors, and visionaries.

We also celebrate our students diving into these subjects with enthusiasm and determination. With each design they prototype, the equation they solve, and the work of art they create, students gain confidence and skills. Collaborating on STEAM projects teaches teamwork and communication abilities that will serve them well in future careers.

The future belongs to those who understand STEAM. That’s why it’s so important to emphasize these subjects in both schools and extracurriculars, before and after school, and in summer! On National STEAM Day, let’s thank the educators and students working together to create our next generation of STEAM specialists! Their efforts ensure a bright future powered by science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Carver’s Collaborative Impact at South Norwalk Neighborhood School (SONO): Empowering Community Through Education

South Norwalk has welcomed a long-awaited milestone by establishing its own neighborhood school, South Norwalk Neighborhood School (SONO). As the community rejoices in this significant event, Carver's before- and after-school After the Bell programming has emerged as a pivotal force in fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment for the young minds of SONO.

Amidst the anticipation of a new purpose-built school, currently underway for construction in 2023, SONO is thriving within the temporarily repurposed Columbus Magnet School site. With two pre-k and two kindergarten classes, the school's intimate setting has paved the way for an engaging and closely-knit learning experience for the children and their families. The new 682-seat elementary school, upon completion, will cater to students from pre-K through fifth grade, solidifying the educational foundation of South Norwalk.

SONO's mission transcends the mere imparting of knowledge; it aims to cultivate a profound sense of community and accessibility for students and parents. The future inauguration of the new school presents an opportunity for the district to christen the institution officially, cementing its place as a beacon of hope and progress for South Norwalk. This development marks a pivotal moment in the city's history, symbolizing a departure from the legacy of the 1970s desegregation efforts that deprived South Norwalk of a neighborhood school for over four decades.

Through Carver's innovative and collaborative before- and after-school programs, students at SONO are not just learning; they are thriving. Carver's initiatives have contributed significantly to the gradual establishment of SONO's unique culture, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and cooperation that transcends the traditional boundaries of education.

Carver's collaborative initiatives contribute to a vibrant learning community at South Norwalk Neighborhood School. Let the smiles and laughter of the children and the shared passion of the educators be a testament to the transformative power of education in nurturing a thriving community.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Carver, in partnership with SONO, is empowering the future generation of South Norwalk to do just that.

Carver CEO and Team Engage in Crucial Education Equity Event in Fairfield County. See the videos!

On October 25th, 2023, Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, accompanied by other dedicated Carver staff members and a motivated Carver student, actively participated in an impactful and insightful event to help shape the future of education and workforce development in Fairfield County.

Hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation's (FCCF) Business Collaborative for Education Equity (BCEE), the event took place at the FactSet headquarters in Norwalk, drawing the attendance and attention of over 80 prominent business and community leaders.

This third video is of the panel discussion that includes Novelette Peterkin

A key highlight of the event was the engaging panel discussions. See the three videos of those discussions in this post.

The focus of the forum revolved around the presentation of findings from the FCCF comprehensive research study titled "Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Equitable Education and Career Pathways for Opportunity Youth in Fairfield County."

This effort emphasized the significance of forging effective partnerships and fostering cross-sector collaborations. The diverse array of voices, encompassing expertise, and lived experiences, brought forth a wealth of valuable insights, suggesting innovative ways to support the educational and career development of the youth in the region.

The BCEE, a dedicated local impact and funding collaborative, was established in 2020 with FCCF. With a resolute mission to address educational disparities among the most vulnerable youth in the Greater Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford regions, the BCEE has already made considerable strides. Having awarded grants exceeding $400,000 to date, including grants awarded to support The Carver’s workforce development initiatives, the collaborative not only provides financial support but also fosters employee volunteerism, leveraging the expertise and resources of its partners.

For those seeking to delve deeper into the research findings or to actively contribute to local initiatives aimed at enhancing education equity, reaching out to FCCF's Liz Hoagland, the Director of Youth Education and Workforce Development, at lhoagland@fccfoundation.org, would be a promising step forward.

Moreover, companies aspiring to make a meaningful difference in the education landscape and leverage the benefits of BCEE membership are encouraged to visit the BCEE webpage or schedule a meeting with Rebecca Mandell, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at FCCF, at rmandell@fccfoundation.org.

This collaborative effort towards fostering educational equity reflects a collective commitment to shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for the youth in Fairfield County, setting the stage for transformative changes in the educational landscape.

Carver Elementary Students Get Creative Decorating Mini Pumpkins

Carver after-school students at Naramake Elementary School participated in a fun fall activity this week through Carver's After the Bell program.

The students decorated mini pumpkins using Q-tips and paint.

The instructor gave each student a small pumpkin, Q-tips, and various fall-colored paints.

The students learned about pumpkin growing seasons and the process pumpkins go through before getting carved for Halloween.

Then, the students got creative by dipping the Q-tips in paint and making dots, lines, and shapes on their mini pumpkins.

Some students made polka dot or striped patterns, while others tried painting simple pictures like jack-o-lantern faces.

The students had a blast getting messy and turning their mini pumpkins into tiny works of art.

This hands-on activity helped them explore their creativity while learning about Fall traditions.

The decorated pumpkins will create a fun classroom display leading up to Halloween.

New Report Finds 63,000 'Disconnected' CT Youth, Sparking Calls for Greater Coordination and Investment

The report was discussed at the Carver Community Center on Thursday, October 19th. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and a panel of leaders, including Carver CEO Novelette Peterkin, conducted the first of five regional roundtables calling attention to a crisis affecting young people in Connecticut who are off-track or disconnected from education or employment.

The other panelists at the Carver Community Center were (L-R) Mendi Blue Paca, Fairfield County's Community Foundation; Mike Duggan, Domus Kids; Marc Donald, RYASAP; Emily Pallin, Connecticut RISE Network; and next to Novelette, Mayor Harry Rilling, Mayor of Norwalk.

The new report (see Dan Harr’s article about the report here in CT Insider) commissioned by Dalio Education and compiled by the Boston Consulting Group reveals startling statistics about Connecticut's youth. The report, titled "Connecticut's Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back on Track," finds that nearly 63,000 young people aged 14-26 in Connecticut are "disconnected" - meaning they have dropped out of high school, graduated but are not working, or are at risk of not graduating.

See the video below of this first regional roundtable discussion at the Carver Community Center.

Hello, World!

The report paints a sobering picture of a "lost generation" of young people in Connecticut who are not on track educationally or vocationally. The information goes beyond just raising awareness of the issue. It calls for greater coordination between the many local and state agencies interacting with disconnected youth. Specific recommendations include designating offices and positions in every municipality focused on overseeing efforts and improving collaboration.

The report's findings have sparked calls for more investment in solutions. Groups like the Campaign for Working Connecticut advocate for "public and private investment in young people" to address the crisis.

This report's compilation of detailed data across eight state agencies is unique - the first time such comprehensive information has been brought together. It provides a fact-based foundation for understanding the scope of youth disconnection in Connecticut.

The implications of the report are far-reaching. With nearly one in five youth disconnected, Connecticut faces real challenges. But by sounding the alarm and promoting coordinated efforts, the report aims to put the state on a path to ensure all young people are educationally engaged and vocationally prepared. Addressing this "unspoken crisis" is critical for Connecticut's future.

Shining a Light on the Importance of Afterschool Programs

On October 27th, afterschool supporters nationwide will celebrate the 24th annual Lights On Afterschool event. This nationwide rally organized by the Afterschool Alliance aims to showcase the vital role afterschool programs play in our communities.

The event calls attention to the ways quality afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life. Participating in afterschool programs will open their doors to allow community members to see firsthand the innovative learning opportunities offered before and after the regular school day.

From STEM activities to physical fitness and academic support to hands-on learning experiences, afterschool programs nurture students' talents and prepare them for the future. Lights On Afterschool celebrates the students who attend these programs and the staff, parents, and advocates who believe in the immense value of afterschool.

This year's Lights On Afterschool reminds us that students' needs and challenges continue to evolve. Our afterschool programs must innovate and expand to provide the services students require to thrive. Join us on October 27th as we shine a light on the dedication of afterschool supporters and the inspiring work they do for our youth every day.