February 2014 Director’s Report Success stories: the year in review As we look ahead to the New Year, we reflect back on the successes of the past year. Summerbridge implemented many new initiatives during 2013, including Career Pathways – an effort to expose students to various professions in a variety of fields. Another new experience was summertime college visits, providing students opportunities to visit local colleges and to speak with current college students and faculty. Throughout the summer, test scores increased over 25 percent in both math and language arts. Continued on 2 Fall tutoring sites Student profile School year program offers a variety of educational opportunities. Supporters Kylee Boyle’s goal of becoming a teacher becomes clearer after participating in the program. Lehigh Valley Summerbridge thanks all those who have contributed to the program’s success. Page 2 Page 2 Page 4 Director’s Report Continued Student profile: Kylee Boyle Kylee Boyle, an eighth grade student at Nitschmann Middle School, has attended Summerbridge for the past two years. Her dedication and passion for her school work has been impressive and her growth through the years has been undeniable. Kylee displayed her academic excellence this summer, as she achieved her goals and focused on areas to improve. Summerbridge helped Kylee identify what she wants to do in the future. Toward the end of the summer program she voiced her dream: to become an educator. She attributed this new insight to her past and present Summerbridge teachers who inspired her career ambition. Kylee explained “I would love to have an impact on other people’s lives the way that my teachers have had on mine.” This year, Summerbridge students can look forward to visiting a large university as part of our ongoing effort to provide college exposure for students. In addition, we are refocusing our summer curriculum on preparing students for the Keystone Tests, while still preparing students to take college preparatory courses in 9th Summerbridge Director grade. Also new this year will be our College Knowledge Jarred Weaver series, which will provide students with information on preparing for college during their 7-9th grade years, while also providing information for students during their high school years. I encourage you to visit Summerbridge this summer, June 16 - July 25, or email [email protected], to learn more about the Summerbridge program. Have a safe and healthy 2014! Fall After-School Program Summerbridge’s fall after school program recently concluded with impressive results. Each week nearly 80 students received homework help and study skills training at five sites and participated in a range of academic units that varied by location. Summerbridge site supervisors introduced students to new themes through which they were able to gain new skills beyond those they would acquire in their normal classroom setting. Students from Northeast Middle School participated in an exciting acting class where they learned how to express themselves and openly communicate with others in a group setting. “They were able to break out of their comfort zone and gain improvisation skills,” said Site Supervisor Kane Kuharik. At Broughal and Holy Infancy Schools, students completed a selfreflection unit, while Raub Middle School students developed leadership skills. Students also participated in field trips each month. In October, students enjoyed a Summerbridge students at a recent visit haunted hayride at to Planet Trog. Whitehall Parkway Recreational Area. The following month, students visited Planet Trog, the largest laser tag arena on the East coast. In December, program participants ventured to Carmike 16 to view the movie Frozen. After a short winter holiday break the after school program will resume in January. 2 1 2 Summer session sharpens skills Students work on a science experiment during the summer session. Giving back to the community Throughout the six-week summer session, Lehigh Valley Summerbridge students were eager to give back to their community. One of the main recipients of their energy was the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program. Cops ‘n’ Kids is a non-profit organization that works to ensure that every Another successful summer program concluded last August with 80 seventh and eighth graders from throughout the Lehigh Valley participating. Students were enthusiastic about the enrichment program, gaining new skills in areas including math, literature, science and writing. Electives such as Astronomy, Webpage Design, Journalism, Film, Leadership, Nutrition and Exercise proved to be very popular with the middle school students. “Every year we work hard to offer new, educational activities with the students and this year was no exception,” said Program Director Jarred Weaver. “Summerbridge introduced its first Career Pathways Program, which was an incredible opportunity for our students to learn about potential professions from successful individuals.” Presenters included Raymond Niedbala, PhD, CEO of TB Biosciences; Dr. Charles Scagliotti a renowned surgeon at Lehigh Valley Hospital; and Physical Therapist Karen Long. Students walked away from the experience with new ideas for future career paths to guide their educational decisions. Students Visit Local Colleges, Universities child has access to books in his or her home. Summerbridge students created flyers to pass out and display in their community in order to collect as many new or gently used books as they could. By the end of the summer students were proud to report that they gathered almost 5,000 books, an accomplishment that was celebrated by the entire Summerbridge team. Students at Moravian College Students at Lehigh University One of the main goals of Summerbridge, encouraging students to earn college degrees, was fully developed as four groups of students each visited a different local college or university to tour the campus and meet with administrators. Students visited Lehigh University, Northampton Community College, Moravian College, and Lafayette College, spending an entire afternoon exploring the various aspects of these higher institutions. Students who visited Lehigh spoke with Krista Evans, Lehigh’s Director of Admissions. She shared some key information and advice about college life, and encouraged them to consider applying to Lehigh in the future. She explained the various opportunities that Lehigh offers, as well as the financial aid that is available to students. Students concluded the trips with smiles on their faces and a vision for their futures. 3 The success of Lehigh Valley Summerbridge is due in large part to the individuals, foundations, and corporations that have invested in making this program available to Lehigh Valley's youth. Below are supporters for the 2013 year. Air Products and Chemicals Ms. Marla S. Altieri Anonymous Bank of America Matching Gifts Miss Kimberly Barbati Miss Brenda Belfiglio Miss Jocelyn Bellew Mr. Mark Bendekovits Miss Lauren Berner Miss Kaleigh Birdsong Ms. Tracy K. Bozik Miss Erin A. Brady Bravo Cleaning Services Mr. Robert H. Brown and Dr. Kimberly C. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. Buckley, Jr. Mr. Adam Bussman Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Calabrese Mr.and Mrs. Michael Carroll Miss Lisa Cheung Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Claussen Mrs. Carolyn Conard Miss Emily Conners Mr. and Mrs. Tim Coughlan Crayola Mr. and Mrs. Darrell W. Crook Mr. Edward Dare Miss Erika Davis Ms. Margaret Dergosits Mr. Ryan C. Dietrick Mrs. Jennifer C. Dorman Miss Alison Drexler Mr. and Mrs. Jason Eckhart Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Edleman Mr. Joseph Edsall Mr. Timothy Feather Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Fedorak Mrs. Marlene O. Fowler Mr. Ray Fulmer Mr. Andrew W. Gadomski Elizabeth M. Gadomski Psy. D. Gadomski Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Gadomski Miss Olivia Gennusa Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gumz Miss Amy Hansell Miss Shannon Hansell Mr. and Mrs. Raymond B. Holton Mr. and Mrs. David Hood Miss Courtney R. Iversen Just Born, Inc. Miss Jenna Katsaros Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Katsaros Miss Stephanie Katsaros Keystone Nazareth Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. George N. King, Jr. Ms. Stephanie Kobal Miss Jessica Kornhausl Miss Amanda Kostalis Dr. and Mrs. Steven Krawiec Mr. Kane Kuharik Ms. Robin Kulesa Lafayette College Las Vegas Sands Corporation Mr. Jonathan Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Alan LeHeup Miss Christine LeHeup Ms. Irene LeHeup Lehigh University Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Mrs. Margaret H. Leibenguth Mr. Joshua Leight Mr. & Mrs. Christopher F. Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. Carmen Longo Mrs. Sarah Martin Mr. Jack B. May, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David P. McPherson Mr. and Mrs. Jerry B. McQueen Mr. Matthew C. McQueen Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mihalakis Miss Alyssa Miller Mr. & Mrs. T. Peter Mindler Miss Katherine Morash Moravian College Mr. and Mrs. William K. Murphy Dr. and Mrs. David H. Myers Northampton Community College Dr. and Mrs. Gary T. Ofrichter Mr. Matt Palmer Palmeri Transportation, Inc. Miss Stephanie Palmieri Partners Financial Group, LLC Pennsylvania Venture Capital Inc. Miss Erica Peters Mr. Edward J. Puzychi RJ Foundation Miss Hannah K. Ruebeck Mr. Marc Sames Miss Lindsay Santanosto Mrs. Gail S. Schaffer Mr. Mark Scheel Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Scheller Mr. Michael H. Scheller Mr. Andrew Schwab Mr. and Mrs. Howard Schwenk Miss Jennifer Erin Schwinghammer Mr. George B. Seeberger Mr. and Mrs. Scott Seymour Miss Gina Simon Mr. & Mrs. Gary J. Simpson Dr. and Mrs. Peter W. Sipple Miss Jessica Smagler Miss Ashley Smith Mr. Jason Snider Mrs. Carla Snook Dr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Sommers Miss Jenna Spitale Miss Patricia Spitale Ms. Barbara A. Sudol Ms. Jessica L. Swartz Miss Ali Tannous The Century Fund The Donley Foundation The Rider-Pool Foundation The Waldman Family Charitable Trust The Beitel Children's Community Foundation Miss Cassidy Thomas Miss Elisabeth Trinisewski United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Miss Jenele Vadelund Mr. Lucas Vadelund Miss Michele Vadelund Miss Kim Van Orden Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Vargas VAST Abstract, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Vasta, Jr. Mr. Michael A. Venanzi, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Charles C. Vetter Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Waldman Mr. and Mrs. Eric Walker Mr. Cameron B. Weaver Mr. Jarred Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Darren J. Weaver Mr. Kellen R. Weaver Mr. & Mrs. John F. Weber Whitehall Manor Miss Ashley Williams Miss Lindsay Wisser Mr. Matthew B. Wolf Mr. Robert J. Zaiser Mr. William E. Zeigler Thank you also to the administration of Bethlehem Area School District Dr. Joseph Roy Mr. David Horvath Mrs. Erin Kern Ms. Deb Ritter Mrs. Kelly Simpson Easton Area School District Mr. Stephen Furst Mr. John Reinhart Allentown School District Dr. Russell Mayo Mrs. Stacy Gilmartin Holy Infancy Middle School We need your help. Donate today! Please consider supporting the students and teachers of the Lehigh Valley Summerbridge program. Your tax-deductible gift can be made using the form available at: www.lvsummerbridge.org or mail your donation directly to: Lehigh Valley Summerbridge, 4313 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA, 18020. Summerbridge Newsletter is produced annually. Publisher: Jarred Weaver Managing Editor and Staff Writer: Alison Drexler4
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