Summerbridge New Haven Celebrates 10th Anniversary

As part of the year-long celebration for SBNH, this article appeared in the New Haven Register at the beginning of the school year (08/03/2003):

Summerbridge turns 10, works wonders
by Kimberly S. Johnson, Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — It was another successful semester for Summerbridge New Haven, as students, parents and teachers celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday with a gathering at the Hopkins School.

The summer and after-school program helps seventh and eighth graders with academic and social skills as they prepare for high school.

"It’s been a very good summer," said Jeff Grigg, co-director of the program. "Our hope is that some of the positive benefits will show themselves this summer and into the eighth grade." This year’s group of about 40 students took courses in English, math, science, history and language.

The program is free for all students who, according to Grigg, come from public and parochial schools throughout New Haven.

"We look for kids that are motivated about school, but not necessarily doing that well," he said. "They might have some C’s and D’s and are missing the attention they need." Grazyna Grzybko said her son Damian’s writing skills needed improvement, so she and her husband enrolled their 12-year-old during the school year. Damian completed the summer program last week and his writing has improved. The Grzybkos said they are very happy with Summerbridge and are considering placing their young daughter in the program when she enters seventh grade.

"It really pulls out all you have in yourself, it pulls you to the fullest limit," said Damian, who attends Worthington Hooker Middle School in New Haven. "It seemed sort of inspiring to me and then for the summer, it became fun." Grigg said Summerbridge offers a very demanding academic program, although time is set aside for field trips and sports. Class sizes are small, so that students receive individual attention.

Grigg said that the program also tries to improve social attitudes toward school and learning. Students are taught how to take class notes, organize their notebooks and how to prepare for exams.

Another goal of Summerbridge is to help high school and college students foster interest in a teaching career. The program’s 16 teachers range from high school juniors to college graduates.

"There’s a dual purpose," explained Barbara Riley, head of the Hopkins School. "To give a boost to seventh and eight graders and also expose an older group of students to teaching." The Hopkins School program is part of a national initiative, the Breakthrough Collaborative. Riley said that although Hopkins is a private school, part of its mission is to play a role in the New Haven community teamed up with the Breakthrough Initiative.

For Steven Woods, Summerbridge is the family he returns to every summer. The 17-year- old senior at James Hillhouse High School in New Haven was a student in the program in 1995 and 1996.

This summer, he taught Spanish and music in literature to kids in the program. Although he has aspirations for a career in music Woods developed an interest in teaching this summer — and a greater appreciation for his own teachers.

"For a child this program gives them the opportunity to be more than what they are in public school," he said, adding that he often talks about his own experiences in school as a way to relate to his students.

"I like the fact that you can be a friend as well as a teacher, it sets up a trust and helps kids learn."

©New Haven Register 2004