Creating tie-dye shirts … solving Math problems while engaging in exercise … Interactive storytelling … Robotics … Art and dance.
It was all about engaged minds and busy hands.
“I like the gym and making new friends. There are many girls my age that I can play with. We created tie-dye shirts, and we did fun stuff with visitors,” said Noriah, a 4th grader at Shelby Traditional Academy at Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
These were several of the enrichment activities that nearly two dozen 1st through 8th grade students participated in during the second annual “Backpack League” summer camp. Hosted at the Family Success Center (FSC), in partnership with JCPS and Evolve502, the program ran Monday through Friday from June 20 to July 12.
Winsbert, an immigrant from Jamaica, was a middle school instructor at our FSC site for summer camp. He is a science teacher at JCPS’s Barret Traditional Middle School.
“I’m very impressed by their behavior,” Winsbert said. “They are very enthused and eager to learn. They ask a lot of questions. It is a pleasure being at this site. I believe the FSC is serving a useful purpose and I want to commend everyone involved. I hope that you continue to do all the good things that you do because the kids truly appreciate it. I can see that glow in their eyes when they learn something new.” Alivia, a 7th grader at Meyzeek Middle School, was one of those students.
“I’ve enjoyed reading and working with my friends. I know that our teachers are respectful and kind to other students,” she said.
Sinopa also worked with middle school students. A UofL student from Nigeria, she is an Evolve502 math/reading intervention counselor.
“With a smaller class size, I am able to focus on each student’s individual needs. Just being able to see where they are at and trying to push them a little further is what I am really enjoying,” Sinopa said. “I think it is special to have a safe place to go. I love the fact that there that there is not only has a gym and a playground, but there are books and math material so that if you need help, you can find it.”
Nicholas, a 6th grader at Marion C. Moore School, enjoyed all the FSC has to offer.
“I’ve enjoyed the gym because we can play basketball in the morning. We also work on math and reading,” he said.
Girl Geek, Get Better Every Day (GBED), Kidsview, Faith Works, Chase Ur Dreamz, J. Cortez, Acaiville, and Divine Interventions were among the local nonprofit organizations and small businesses who supported the enrichment activities with the elementary and middle school students each week.
“I have been to summer camp a few times. I keep coming back because I love it here,” said Shantaz, a 5th grader at Engelhard Elementary School. “I can play with my friends in the gym. I liked the math activity, where they ask us a math question, and if we get it right, we get to run to the black line in the gym.”
Makayla, an Evolve502 writing/reading tutor for our after-school and summer programming, says having the FSC is vital for children from the community to be able to come and grow.
“I love being with the kids. That is what I want to do as a career. These kids need much extra help and additional support, so I am glad I can be that person,” Makayla said. “I also used to be homeless as a kid, so I sympathize with these kids. I grew up in a very unstable household, so having a safe space is so important to me. School was a safe space for me. It is very important for me to be that trustworthy person for them.”
SVDP also hosted its own summer camp from July 15 to Aug. 2 for incoming 1st-8th graders who live on our campus and those in the neighboring Smoketown and Shelby Park areas.
Tony Nochim
Source: St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
This was a very interesting article, but I had to get to the end to find out from what country it came. Even then, if someone does not know where Louisville is, he/she would have to Google it to find out. That is possible, because there is only one Louisville, but it might not work for other places. I suggest indicating the place and country at the beginning of every article that refers to some activity.