STATISTICS ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROGRAMS:

BCI Freedom School

2015 PROGRAM FACT SHEET 

• Program Dates:   June 29 – July 31, 2015
• Number of accepted scholars:   71
• Number graduated from program:    71
• Scholar attendance:  91.3%

According to the end of the summer scholar assessment results, over 70% of students were academically prepared to enter the next grade level.  The majority of returning scholars have shown improvement in at least two of the following ways:

• Maintained or improved literacy levels
• Improved attendance in school
• Improved behavior in school
• Better engagement in school activities
• Ability to talk about a problem in their community and how they might try to solve it

A majority of parents attending indicates improvement in at least one of the following areas in the subsequent school year:

• Attended more parent meeting at their child’s school
• Volunteered in the child’s school
• Attended the majority of Freedom school parent meetings

Of the 13 high school and college/graduate students’ interns and teachers:

• All have exhibit knowledge of problem in the community and are able to express potential solutions and how to involve other in the solution.
• All have stayed on track to graduate and enter college or the world of work
• All have demonstrated tremendous leadership abilities 

SCHOLAR SURVEY RESULTS:

2015 PARENT SURVEY RESULTS:

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:

This summer BCI Freedom School has worked with various organizations in Newark and the surrounding area to facilitate various program activities.

1. Grantors: This is a listing of all the grants that BCI has received this summer.
1. Victoria Foundation - $40,000
2. PSE&G - $5,000
3. Robert & Joan Dircks, Foundation- $5,000
2. Fundraising:
1. BCI Annual Golf Classic: This event takes place every year at the Cedar Hill Golf and Country Club. Community members and partners are invited to make contributions and enjoy a day of golf, tennis, swimming and an awards dinner.
   
   
2. Donations were made by: NJ Resources, Prudential, PSEG, The Bank of Nova Scotia, JJ White, Inc. Eii Inc, Mizuho Bank, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and others.
3. Services:
1. Kids Corporation: Organized and provided buses for two trips to Rockaway, NJ where they have a camp. The trip was aimed at acclimating urban children to nature and the outdoors. They also arranged a trip to the Liberty Science Park in Jersey City for scholars K-5.
   
   
2. Sun Up: This is a program under Newark’s Social Services. They provide free breakfast and lunch that is delivered every morning for our scholars. The menu is FDA approved.
   
   
3. Community Impact: Dorothy Givens, a registered nurse, spoke with parents concerning the importance of a change in their children eating habits and created a cultural and community awareness in education of nutritional values.  She stressed the importance of parent involvement and local community and educational opportunities available to them.

 

TRIPS/SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

All trip activities were planned by the Program Director, Site Coordinator, and Servant Leaders. Many of the activities described have become a tradition within the BCI Freedom School program and occur every year.

1. Liberty Science Center
2. Turtle Back Zoo
3. Branch Brook Skating Center (Harambee Night)
4. Community Day

a. This day is a time for the entire site to give back to the community. On this day every class went to a designated area (as directed by the Site Coordinator) to clean up garbage in Newark. Each class was provided with garbage bags and gloves. Water was provided for scholars and staff, and afternoon discussions on the importance of community engagement followed.

5. Exercise Day

a. In order to excite our scholars about healthy living, exercise day was created. Scholars and staff stretched and did warm up exercises together. After which they played friendly competitive games (races/suicide drills/etc.). Healthy snacks and water were provided. Exercise activities were recommended in the past after Summer Learning/United Way site reviews. 

6. Fun Day

a. This activity occurs close to the end of the program. To reward the scholars for all their hard work, the Program Director and Site Coordinator plan a fun day comprised of BBQ food, games (chosen by staff), a bouncy house, a dunk tank, and various water games.

7. Harambee Night

a. This night has become a tradition with BCI Freedom School. It serves as a way for staff to speak and bond with the families of the scholars. Families, staff, and scholars went to the Branch Brook Skating Center to enjoy a night of Freedom School fun. Scholar and staff admission fees were covered by BCI, parents and family members had to pay at the door.