School’s Out, ImpACT’s In

We started our first-ever three-week long summer program for our ImpACT Tutoring students. Our first crop consists of thirteen 4th and 5th graders. This summer program was birthed out of a both a burden and a vision to further support the students academically during the summer since it is a time when many children and youth regress in their learning due to the unstructured environment of summer vacation. Our goal is to review and practice basic skills, as well as introduce concepts they will need for the following grade level. We are partnering with Berkeley Academics and through the support of their resources (curriculum, facility, and computer lab) as well as a generous grant from Advent, we are able to better meet the academic needs of our students.

We have drivers who go out to Oakland and throughout Alameda to pick-up the students in the morning and drop them off in the afternoon. We have other volunteers who help out with various needs throughout the day. We are offering three classes – Math, Computers, and Essay Writing – taught by our very own experienced teachers. Students have time for free play (basketball, ping pong, board games, foozball, and dodgeball) and time to eat lunch with each other, teachers and volunteers during the day as well.

We are in our second week and the students are really enjoying the summer program. We hope that this time will also be a time where they bond together as a group, bond with teachers and other adult volunteers. We want the students to know that there are many adults around them who are here to support them.