In 2022, The Bloomberg Philanthropies created a national program, The Bloomberg Summer Boost program, to provide high-quality summer learning programs for K-8 children in charter schools. Developed in response to COVID-related learning loss, particularly for low-income students of color, these programs offer a needed, engaging academic and personal enrichment for students.
In summer 2023, Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) neighborhood conversion charter schools City Springs Elementary / Middle School and Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) received Bloomberg Summer Boost funding for programs after applying to the competitive program. For summer 2024, Govans Elementary School joins HHA in offering Summer Boost Programming. Each program is designed by the individual school and is unique to the schools’ and community’s needs.
Now half of our BCP network has received Bloomberg Summer Boost grants to help our students bridge the pandemic learning gap. Being selected for this distinctive, national program is also recognition for our incredible educators and the work they do year-round to improve the lives of our students.
Rachel Douglas, a 2nd Grade teacher at Hampstead Hill, is overseeing HHA’s Summer Boost Program. She lauds the Bloomberg program for providing access for struggling learners to get the best experiences and facilitates a love of learning. “Teachers can make lesson gains, and students get access to more student/teacher interactions, more opportunities for academic and social language practice, and are provided the little extra time they need to catch up to their peers.”
The goal of every Summer Boost Program is to have each student begin the school year as prepared as they can be for the next grade level. Here’s a snapshot of what Govans and HHA are doing this summer through Bloomberg Summer Boost grant funding.
Govans Elementary School’s Summer Boost Program
100 students, grades 1-5, enrolled in the summer program led by seven academic teachers, one full-time social worker, one academic lead to support teachers, two 1:1 aides, one administrator, and one substitute.
Typical day:
8:45 AM Breakfast and mindful moments in the cafeteria
Morning sessions on academics with students grouped according to functional level. Reading: lower grades have reading groups of 5-6 students, and older students have novel studies; Math: Students work on fluency and computation using My Math
Lunch and recess
Afternoon session enrichment time:
- STEM instruction from Let’s Go Boys & Girls, including working on game design using a program called Scratch to program and debug original racing and maze games. 3rd grade is working on engineering projects and exploring ways to help people around the world.
- Chess instruction from Boardroom Chess
- Yoga, cooking, arts & crafts, sports, team building, mindfulness, and more.
Fields trips and other fun:
- 1st and 2nd grade to the B&O Railroad Museum with train ride
- 3rd-5th grade attended a Washington Mystics game in DC after participating in basketball skills practice with our partner 10:12 Sports.
- Y on the Fly taught a session on healthy snacks (making cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches) and healthy bodies (organized physical activities in the gym)
- Petting Zoo visit and pony rides
- Skating field trip
- All-school field day with a barbeque and water play
Becca Wheeler, Govans’ Academic Coach and Summer Boost Coordinator:
“Our goal for Summer Boost is to provide rich academic instruction directly aligned to the Common Core State Standards and exciting and engaging enrichment opportunities. We want to see our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally while having fun and enjoying the summer. The students who attended our summer program will be exceptionally prepared to excel next year.”
Enjoy the photo gallery of Govan’s Summer Boost Program.
Hampstead Hill’s Summer Boost Program
87 students (rising 1st-7th) led by two administrators, six Lead Teachers, two paraeducators, two 1:1 aides, and five substitutes
Typical day:
Breakfast followed by academic enrichment: Reading, Math, Language instruction using Direct Instruction (DI) reading for all students, DI Language for groups identified by coaches, and Singapore Math.
Lunch and 45 minutes of outdoor recess
Afternoon enrichment includes rotation between P.E., art, and STEAM
Field trips and other fun:
- Irvine Nature Center
- Baltimore City Fire Department tour
- Maryland Science Center
- Visits to Diablo Donuts and Homeslyce Pizzeria in Southeast Baltimore
From Rachel Douglas, HHA 2nd Grade Teacher and Summer Boost Coordinator:
“This program is the ‘best-case scenario’ for the students. They have small classes, with certified teachers and paras, access to food, air conditioning, time for socialization and Centers, ample recess, and most importantly…fun! We want them to feel happy and excited to come in each day, which is a challenge when you are selling the idea of summer school.
Summer Boost allows us to hire the best teachers and compensate them in a way that they deserve. At HHA, we are proud that we can do that with the Summer Boast support. We can provide in-school experiences from places like the Science Center and incentives that are exciting and interactive like decorating donuts from Diablo Donuts.”
Enjoy the photos of Hampstead Hill’s program.
Thank you, Bloomberg Philanthropies, for the grants for BCP’s Summer Boost programs.
