Summerbridge 2008
Eighty highly motivated middle school students representing 27 New Orleans public and parochial schools came to Newman this summer to attend Summerbridge New Orleans. With a talented pool of volunteer teachers from 14 colleges across the country and five New Orleans high schools, the Summerbridge students were exposed to a broad range of academic experiences.
This year, Summerbridge was able to offer even more enrichment opportunities through formal partnerships with the following organizations:
Awesome Bridge. Approximately 10 girls from Summerbridge participated in a unique initiative in drama, created and funded by several women from Vassar College. The focus of the class was on the art of persuasive storytelling.
Contemporary Arts Center. Local artist Lionel Milton worked with the students for six weeks to design and create a mural, which will be unveiled this fall. This artist in residence program was made possible by the Contemporary Arts Center.
Swim New Orleans. Before jetting off to compete in swim meets across the country, Swim NOLA members gave high-quality swim instruction to approximately 25 Summerbridge participants over the first three weeks of the program.
The Majora Carter Group. Majora Carter, formerly director of the Sustainable Bronx Initiative, has taken on Summerbridge as a project for her newly formed organization, the Majora Carter Group. Her mission is to promote “green collar” jobs – jobs in conservation and environmentally sustainable industries. Described by the media as an eco-celebrity, Majora Carter spent a day with 15 sixth and seventh grade students touring neighborhoods and brainstorming ways in which our students can make New Orleans better post-Katrina. Excerpts from the day will be aired on National Public Radio later this year.
Finally, Summerbridge received well-deserved recognition for their work educating the children of New Orleans from Education Partnership for Children in Conflict. The group, founded by Angelina Jolie, the actress and local activist, and Gene Sperling, a former economic advisor to Bill Clinton, raised $20,000 for the program. The foundation website at www.educationpartnership.org/partners includes Summerbridge on a list of outstanding non-profits.
Summerbridge plays an important role in introducing high school and college students to teaching. All teachers underwent an intensive week-long training prior to the start of the program and professional development throughout. Current Newman students who taught were Katherine Folse, Albion Sumrell, Drew Starling, Lauren Johnson, Jay Howard, Sanders Colbert and Nadine Rubenstein. In addition, four Newman alumni from the Class of 2007 returned to campus to work for Summerbridge: Mike Bronfin, Chris Davis, Katie Luer and Mia McClain.
For more information, contact the program director, Chantelle Pierre, at 896-6429 or cpierre@newmanschool.org.
