March winds always signal a serious change in the climate of academic programs for at risk students. The stress of standardized tests deplete the fun from every aspect of the school day including recess. Children of the City is consistent in planning the curriculum for their Create Success after school program so that the delicate balance of rigor and humor are maintained throughout the year. In an effort to offset school related stress, Joyce Mattera and Daniel Ramos organized a few little surprises to keep the kids on their game and reading.
By recruiting students from Brooklyn Tech and West Brooklyn Community High School, Children of the City celebrated “National Dr. Suess Day” with an author study and marathon reading of Theodore Geisel’s classic rhyming tales. A few days later Ronald McDonald stopped by to reiterate the importance of reading. But the highlight of the month was when NFL Superbowl champ, David Tyree and his family dropped by for the afternoon.
During his visit, Mr. Tyree spent time with every single child in the program. His sincere interest in their well being and academic progress was evident in the way he made eye contact and engaged each child in conversation. Researchers have not yet devised a rubric to measure the effects of a little attention from a football hero on a child’s self esteem. But, a few weeks after Mr. Tyree’s visit, my NY Cares crew of Reading Partners (Alaina, Anne, Caitlin, Galen, Laura, Neal and Phoebe) noticed an improvement in the social skills of the children. They were much more out going, made eye contact more frequently and welcomed all of the volunteers, not just their reading partner.
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