Summer school rouses scholars
Sunday, July 27, 2008
By GEORGE GRAHAM
ggraham@repub.com
Original Article

SPRINGFIELD - One of summer school's drearier stereotypes - the one with the droning teachers and listless students - is belied by the lively goings-on at Milton Bradley Elementary School.

"It's fun," 11-year-old Rayquam D. Lopez said during a recent mid-day break at the school. "We do creative things. ... In drama, we express our minds and feelings. We do plays."

Lopez, one of about 70 rising third- through fifth-graders participating in the program here, was recently named scholar of the week.

The scholars here, part of 800 around the city, are participating in the BELL (Building Educational Leaders for Life) summer program which is starting its first year here.

Program officials emphasis on the term "scholar" gives a hint of the BELL philosophy.

"We call them scholars from the get-go because we believe that is what they are," Anokhee Dave, site manager for the BELL programs at Milton Bradley and Commerce High School.

Harvard Law School students founded the program in 1992, Dave said.

"They felt that students, specifically in inner cities, weren't getting the kind of education they should be getting," Dave, a 2003 Commerce graduate and BELL employee said.

Springfield's BELL summer program includes rising sixth- and ninth-graders, and is designed to help them get ready for middle and high school, respectively.

"It prepares them," said Michelle Steward, assistant program manager. "But not only that, it reminds them about what they will need to do in the fall."

The program started June 30 and is happening at seven elementary schools and the four major high schools throughout the city.

It ends Aug. 8 with jingle competitions and closing ceremonies.

A key component of the program is its focus on increasing self-esteem. "They feed on this and they love praise," Dave said.

The 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. program starts with academics and includes a lunch time coupled with community time designed to foster relationships between scholars and their teachers.

The afternoons are given over to enrichment classes which at Milton Bradley include dance/drama, earth science and physical education with an Olympics theme.

Each day the scholars rotate into a different enrichment session.

Field trips and community service projects are also included in the program, Dave said. "We focus on getting well-rounded students," she said.

Enrichment sessions vary from school to school based on the input and special interests of teachers. Commerce's enrichment sessions include drama and American Sign Language.

Central High School's enrichment offerings include tennis and financial literacy - the building of personal financial skills.

Overall at Milton Bradley, things are going well, Dave and Steward said.

"We have seen improvements already," Dave said, referring to recent mid-term quiz results.

"I can see the changes in some of the kids, whether it's behavioral or academic," Steward said.

"It's really a chance for the scholars to turn around," Dave said.

Other scholars, along with Lopez, say they too are enjoying their time here.

"It has helped me with my attitude (toward school)," 9-year-old Trevon Akers said.

Ten-year-old Elijah J. Coppedge said he particularly enjoys the program's math, gym and art programs.

Cynthia Avedo, 10, said her favorite offerings include gym and art.