Carver’s “Kick-Off to Kindergarten” Expands in Bridgeport: 90 Children Begin Their Learning Journey This Summer

This summer, Carver and Bridgeport Public Schools are celebrating an inspiring milestone: the expansion of the “Kick-Off to Kindergarten” program, now serving 90 children across five elementary schools in Bridgeport. What began several years ago as a pilot program has evolved into a powerful partnership and a lifeline for families eager to give their children a strong and confident start to their school careers.

Designed for incoming kindergarteners with little or no prior classroom experience, Kick-Off to Kindergarten introduces young learners to their first school experiences through a joyful blend of social-emotional learning, academic exposure, literature, and enrichment. Each school hosts 15 students for a 19-day, four-hour-a-day program that includes breakfast, lunch, and foundational instruction—all led by certified BPS teachers and early childhood-credentialed paraprofessionals.

This summer, Carver is proud to bring this transformative early learning opportunity to Cesar Betalla, Geraldine Claytor, Interdistrict Discovery (which has two classrooms this year), Jettie Tisdal (a new school added this year), and Waltersville Elementary School.

The 2024 program, conducted at four of the aforementioned schools (Jettie Tisdal is new this year), was a resounding success. Using the nationally recognized Brigance Screen III, educators measured student progress from the start to the end of the program:
📚 Average growth: 14 points
📚 Highest individual gain: 45 points
📚 Pre-program average score: 68.5
📚 Post-program average score: 83.5

These gains represent far more than numbers. They tell the story of children arriving at school more confident, curious, and ready to learn. Families are seeing it. Teachers are seeing it. And the entire Bridgeport community is benefiting.

The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation helped make our innovative programs in Bridgeport possible. Their ongoing commitment to Carver’s work in Bridgeport has helped bring opportunity, enrichment, and readiness to hundreds of children. Because of their support, we are opening doors and opening futures.

Since launching our first BPS partnership in 2018 with the Classical Studies Magnet Academy Extended Day Program, Carver has remained deeply committed to Bridgeport’s youngest learners. “Kick-Off to Kindergarten” is an investment in stronger students, stronger schools, and a stronger Bridgeport.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our BPS partners, the John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation, early childhood educators, and Carver families for believing in what’s possible when we work together. The success of this initiative proves what we’ve always known: early intervention matters—and it works.

Important Program Update: FY 2025-26 5th Grade Scholars Program Temporarily Suspended

Carver has made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend our 5th Grade Scholars Program for the 2025-2026 school year while we await further guidance from the Trump Administration regarding the future of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative.

Carver was recently awarded four multi-year 21st CCLC grants totaling $1,770,900—an extraordinary achievement that affirms the strength of our programming and our longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunity. These competitive grants, administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), represent the only federal funding stream dedicated exclusively to after-school programs. Out of 35 awards statewide, Carver received four—the most of any grantee in Connecticut.

However, as of July 1, 2025, a statewide freeze on 21st CCLC funds has been imposed due to federal-level actions, halting critical payments just weeks before the new school year. School districts and nonprofits alike are grappling with the consequences—having already approved budgets, staffing, and contracts based on expected funding.

To be clear, no other Carver programs have been impacted at this time. Carver’s After the Bell programs at Norwalk’s elementary schools are continuing as planned, and parents may still enroll their children in those programs for the upcoming academic year. Please contact our Director of Elementary School Programs,Tricia Massucco (203) 838-4305, Ext 115; tricia@the-carver.org, with your inquiries.

This situation, however, is a moving target. The abrupt freeze is already affecting summer programs, childcare support for working families, professional development for educators, and services for students with additional learning needs. These real-time and repeated disruptions may affect families in different ways depending on the provider, school, or district.

We encourage all parents to contact their school administration and any other school-day or after-school providers to confirm whether any of their own expectations for the coming school year have been affected.

Carver remains committed to delivering high-quality academic and enrichment programs, and we are advocating alongside our partners to see this vital funding restored. We will share further updates as soon as they become available. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Empowerment Through Basketball: Carver’s L.O.V.E. Unit Brings Free Training and Mentorship to Norwalk Youth

Carver’s L.O.V.E. Unit (Leadership Overcomes Violence Everywhere) is back this summer, offering free basketball training and mentorship to youth across Norwalk. Led by Tremain Gilmore, the Carver Teen Center Director and Co-Executive Director of Ej's H.E.A.R.T. Inc., the L.O.V.E. Unit provides children with the unique opportunity to train one-on-one with prominent local basketball players in a nurturing and supportive community environment.

L.O.V.E. Unit is part of Summer Run, a co-ed program that has been engaging young athletes since 2009. Held in the evenings at the Carver Community Center, Summer Run teaches the fundamentals of basketball and enhances athletic abilities while fostering teamwork and leadership skills. This all-summer program offers participants rewarding activities and experiences in a safe, inclusive environment surrounded by friends and mentors.

Mo’s Summer Run 2025: Basketball, Leadership, and Life Lessons Light Up the Carver Courts Three Nights a Week

Carver’s gym is buzzing again!

Mo’s Summer Run 2025 is in full swing, using both the Richard Whitcomb Gymnasium and Carver’s newly refurbished outdoor basketball courts at 7 Academy Street to host an exciting, expanded summer schedule. The program now runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, offering free basketball training for elementary, middle, and high school students in a safe, structured, and high-energy environment.

Now in its 16th season, Mo’s Summer Run continues to be one of Carver’s most beloved programs. Founded in 2009 by community mentor and coach Maurice “Mo” Richardson, the program was created to keep Norwalk youth off the streets and on the court—where they learn not just the fundamentals of basketball, but also critical life skills like teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and healthy living.

This year’s expanded weekly format includes:

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Elementary School Training

• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Middle School Training

• 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: High School Scrimmages and Games

Each session is tailored to the developmental level of its players, ensuring younger students learn the basics while older youth can showcase their competitive edge in spirited scrimmages and organized games.

On Friday nights, the program reaches its peak energy as local legends—alumni who once trained at Carver and went on to play at the high school, collegiate, and even professional levels—return to inspire, mentor, and compete. It’s more than a basketball run—it’s a community reunion with heart.

Mo’s Summer Run has been repeatedly featured in The Hour and other local outlets for its transformational impact, serving as a positive force during the critical summer months. By combining high-level basketball with meaningful mentorship, Mo’s Summer Run continues to shape not just better athletes but stronger citizens.

For more information, contact (203) 822-2545. Join us this summer at Carver—where the lights stay on, the ball keeps bouncing, and the future gets brighter with every game.

Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy Principal Damon Lewis Named National Middle School Principal of the Year

We are thrilled to share an extraordinary update to a previous blog post celebrating one of Norwalk’s finest educators—Dr. Damon Lewis, Principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy.

He was just officially named the 2025–26 National Middle School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)!

See the video above that captures the moment of the announcement!.

This prestigious national recognition follows Dr. Lewis’s earlier honor as Connecticut’s 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year, awarded by the Connecticut Association of Schools. Selected as one of just three finalists from across the country, Dr. Lewis received the national award during the Illuminate Gala at the UNITED Conference in Seattle on July 9, co-hosted by NASSP and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

According to an NPS news release:

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers on the national level,” Dr. Lewis said. “It is a testament to the support I have been provided by Norwalk Public Schools in working with our community of learners including staff, students and families.”

Throughout his tenure at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy, Dr. Lewis has exemplified the very best in educational leadership. His efforts to build a nurturing, academically rigorous, and inclusive learning environment have left a lasting impact on students, families, and staff alike. True to his character, Dr. Lewis emphasized that his goal was never to be seen as the “best principal,” but simply to do “the best job for the community I serve.”

“We are extremely proud of Dr. Lewis for receiving this well-deserved national recognition,” said Superintendent Alexandra Estrella, who nominated him for the award. “His deep commitment to his students, staff and school community is evident in everything he does. We have long recognized his outstanding leadership here in our district, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that excellence celebrated at both the state and national levels.”

From all of us in the Norwalk Public Schools community—and especially from the students and families of Ponus Ridge—congratulations, Dr. Lewis! This national honor is a reflection not only of your leadership, but of the powerful community you’ve helped build. We couldn’t be prouder.

From Fireballs to Therapy Dogs: Carver’s West Rocks Summer Transition Program Helps Rising 6th Graders Build Confidence and Curiosity

A few days ago, Carver’s Summer Transition Program at West Rocks Middle School welcomed rising 6th graders into a world of discovery, confidence-building, and middle school readiness. From Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31, 2025, students are gathering each weekday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for a full day of academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, and unforgettable hands-on experiences designed to ease their journey into middle school.

The program blends fun with purpose, helping incoming West Rocks students get to know their new school, meet future classmates and teachers, and build the skills—academic and social—they’ll need for a strong start this fall.

Towering Confidence with STEM Challenges
Here, students were given a classic engineering challenge: using only 25 sheets of paper and tape, they had to build the tallest freestanding tower that could hold the weight of a textbook. The challenge demanded teamwork, planning, and perseverance. Watching the towers rise—and sometimes fall—was just as educational as seeing which ones held strong. Most importantly, the students learned that success often grows from trial, error, and creative collaboration.

Reading to Hank the Therapy Dog
One of the most heartwarming highlights was a visit from former West Rocks teacher Jen Duran and her beloved therapy dog, Hank. Students were introduced to the concept of therapy animals and how they help people feel safe, calm, and supported. The next day, each student had the opportunity to read aloud to Hank, a gentle and judgment-free listener. This activity helped students practice fluency and build reading confidence in a relaxed setting, easing some of the academic anxieties that can come with entering a new school.

Fire & Ice with Mad Science

For a thrilling afternoon, Mad Science’s “Fire & Ice” live show turned the school cafeteria into a scientific wonderland. In a series of dramatic demonstrations, students learned about chemical reactions, combustion, air pressure, and sublimation. Highlights included:

• Foggy dry ice storms and sizzling scissors

• A floating beach ball held aloft by air currents

• Vanishing flash paper that disappeared in a flash of fire

• Fire experiments that safely wowed the crowd and brought science to life

The interactive, high-energy presentation captivated students, igniting their curiosity about chemistry and physics in a way that lectures never could.

At Carver’s West Rocks Summer Transition Program, rising 6th graders are getting ready for middle school while discovering how fun, engaging, and empowering learning can be. From STEM experiments to emotional literacy, from team-building to reading with furry friends, the summer experience is helping students grow into confident learners and kind classmates, ready to hit the ground running this fall.

Thank You, Mr. Richards!

Carver extends its deepest gratitude to Michael Richards for his exceptional leadership and dedication to our students at West Rocks Middle School. As a longtime Carver teacher, Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher, Subject Area Leader, and Director of Carver’s Summer Transition Program, Mr. Richards continues to inspire both students and colleagues through his commitment to academic excellence, positive school culture, and meaningful enrichment experiences. His work has helped countless rising 6th graders feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive. Thank you, Mr. Richards, for all you do!

Young Scientists Take Root at Carver’s SONO Summer Camp with Garden 101: Hydroponics in Action

This summer, Carver’s SONO Summer Camp at the South Norwalk Neighborhood School is buzzing with curiosity, creativity, and chlorophyll! From July 1 to August 8, 2025, children ages 5 to 13 are diving into the exciting world of soil-free gardening through a dynamic, hands-on science program: Garden 101: Hydroponics in Action.

Running weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (with extended day options until 5:30 PM), this journey introduces Carver campers to the science and sustainability of growing plants in water instead of soil. Designed for students in grades K–8, the hydroponics curriculum makes STEM learning tangible, joyful, and incredibly green.

So… What Is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution rather than traditional soil. With the help of containers, oxygenating air pumps, and nutrient monitoring, students learn how roots can thrive in a water-based environment, with some systems even built by the students themselves!

Each Week, A New Scientific Adventure:

• Week 1: Setting the Stage – Students build a safe, inclusive, and curious science classroom culture.

• Week 2: What Is Hydroponics? – Campers explore and compare hydroponics with traditional gardening.

• Week 3: Soil-Free Survival – A deep dive into how roots, stems, and nutrients work in a hydroponic setup.

• Week 4: Tracking and Troubleshooting – Students take on the role of real scientists, monitoring plant health and environmental variables.

• Week 5: Harvest and Reflect – The grand finale includes harvesting greens, presenting findings, and celebrating growth—of both plants and minds.

What Campers Gain:

• STEM Mastery – Real-world science through inquiry and experimentation

• Science Journaling – Daily reflections build vocabulary and observation skills

• Life Skills – Collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving

• Environmental Awareness – A hands-on introduction to sustainability and innovation

Bilingual materials, interactive journals, and age-appropriate lessons ensure that every child is engaged, inspired, and empowered to grow—both figuratively and literally.

By summer’s end, Carver’s young learners don’t just leave with leafy greens—they walk away transformed into confident, curious young scientists, ready to keep growing long after the school bell rings.

Stay tuned for more stories from across Carver’s summer programs serving more than 1,400 students across Norwalk and Bridgeport!

Roton Camp Kicks Off Summer with Beach Olympics, Team Spirit, and Big Wins for the Girls!

Carver’s Summer 2025 is officially off to a splashing start—and Roton Camp brought the energy with an unforgettable Beach Olympic Games at Calf Pasture and Shady Beach!

Over 50 campers joined in on a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition, building memories that will last all summer long. The beach transformed into an Olympic arena with classic contests like the egg toss, a hilarious wheelbarrow race, and a spirited tug of war that pitted boys against girls, who pulled off a crowd-cheering victory!

After the games, campers enjoyed lunch by the water at Ripka’s Beach Café, followed by free swim and time to relax and recharge by the shore. It was a perfect day of sun, sand, and shared celebration.

This beach day is just one shining example of how Carver’s summer programs nurture joy, connection, and personal growth. With more than 1,400 students participating across Norwalk and Bridgeport, Carver is proud to offer experiences that blend academic enrichment, social-emotional development, and summer fun—from rising kindergarteners to high school leaders-in-training.

The Roton Camp Beach Olympics reminded us all: when kids come together with encouragement, creativity, and community support, everyone wins.

Carver’s Summer of Learning, Leadership & Laughter Begins!

Summer 2025 is officially underway, and Carver is thrilled to welcome more than 1,400 students into enriching, joyful, and transformative experiences across Bridgeport and Norwalk. From rising kindergarteners to high school leaders-in-training, Carver’s full slate of summer programs reflects our deep commitment to academic growth, social-emotional wellness, and community connection.

🌟 Kick-Off to Kindergarten – Bridgeport

In partnership with Bridgeport Public Schools, 90 rising kindergarteners are launching their academic journeys through our Kick-Off to Kindergarten program. Held across six school sites—including Tisdale, Barnum, Cesar Batalla, Discovery Magnet, and Geraldine Clayton Magnet—this half-day program emphasizes early literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development to ensure each child is ready for the classroom come fall.

🎓 Summer Transition Programs – Norwalk

Carver’s five-week transition programs in Norwalk are supporting 460 students as they make the leap to middle and high school. Rising 6th graders at West Rocks, Nathan Hale, Ponus, and Roton Middle Schools, and rising 9th graders at Brien McMahon High School are engaging in project-based learning led by certified teachers, with transportation, wellness, and STEM enrichment built into the experience. These programs offer a crucial head start in navigating new schools, meeting new teachers, and building confidence.

☀️ Summer Enrichment Camps

Our three full-day enrichment camps—at the Carver Community Center, SoNo, and Jefferson Elementary—are in full swing, serving over 500 campers ages 5 to 13. In addition to academic instruction in literacy and math through Lexia, MyOn, and IXL, campers explore the arts, enjoy recreational sports, and venture out on field trips to exciting destinations, including the Maritime Aquarium, Lake Compounce, Rye Playland, and Earthplace.

🎒 After the Summer Bell

For 150 students enrolled in required summer school, Carver provides joyful after-school day camp programming at Kendall Elementary, where students unwind through crafts, wellness activities, and team sports.

🏀 Summer Run & L.O.V.E. Unit Basketball

Carver’s commitment to leadership and community continues in our evening basketball programs.

• Summer Run brings 85 students together at the Carver Center three nights a week for skills training, mentorship, and a high-energy Friday night experience with a DJ.

• The L.O.V.E. Unit partners with the Norwalk Housing Authority to deliver basketball-based engagement, character-building, and recreation to 35 students at Rodner Court and King Kennedy on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

🌲 Ecology School Sleepaway Camp

Now in its fourth year, this beloved tradition brought 83 students from grades 6–9 to the coast of Maine for a week of nature immersion. Activities like canoeing, tidepooling, and hiking built resilience and wonder in equal measure. For many, it was a first-time adventure away from home—and one they’ll never forget.

🌾 New Partnership on the Horizon

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Ridgebury Farm, offering campers aged 10–13 a hands-on farm experience that focuses on social-emotional learning, emotional expression, and empathy-building. Stay tuned for updates!

📅 Important Summer Dates

• Transition Programs end August 1

• Enrichment Camps end August 8

Carver’s 2025–26 after-school programs launch with the school year:

• CASPER & After the Bell: August 25

• Middle & High School Programs: September 8

As summer unfolds, Carver is proud to offer children and youth a safe, inspiring place to grow, explore, and dream. None of this is possible without our generous supporters, dedicated educators, and vibrant community partners.

Here’s to a summer of deep roots and strong futures. 💙

Carver Students Dive Into Nature at The Ecology School in Maine: A Beloved Summer Tradition Enters Its 4th Year

Earlier this week, we shared the excitement of Carver students assembling at our Community Center to embark on their journey to The Ecology School in Maine.

Today, we’re thrilled to report that 83 Carver students in grades 6 through 9 have officially arrived—and are already immersed in an unforgettable summer learning adventure.

Now in its fourth year, our partnership with The Ecology School remains one of Carver’s most treasured enrichment opportunities. Set against the stunning backdrop of Maine’s coastline and forests, students experience the wonders of the natural world firsthand through activities that include canoeing, tidepool exploration, beach visits, and nature hikes.

More than just an outdoor escape, this experience deepens students’ understanding of environmental science, fosters teamwork and independence, and opens their eyes to new ways of learning.

Whether paddling across calm waters or discovering marine life at low tide, Carver youth are making memories—and building confidence—that will stay with them long after they return home.

This unique opportunity reflects Carver’s commitment to hands-on, high-impact enrichment that sparks curiosity and empowers students to see themselves as explorers, learners, and stewards of the planet.

Stay tuned for more stories and photos as this incredible week unfolds!