Urban Students Use After-School Time to Aim at College
The College Crusade of Rhode Island launches a full schedule of programs for thousands of low-income students this fall
Providence, R.I., September 30, 2009 – The College Crusade of Rhode Island today announced the start of its 2009 fall schedule, which includes dozens of free programs and activities designed to increase educational and career success for students in Rhode Island’s low-income urban communities. College Crusade programs are offered weekdays after school, on weekends, and during school vacations. Programs range from academic enrichment and science workshops to college visits, career exploration, and adventure education.
Approximately 3,700 middle school and high school students in Rhode Island are members of The College Crusade. The majority of them attend public schools in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket. Membership in The College Crusade provides each student with sustained adult advising and college-readiness programs and services from grade 6 through high school graduation.
Upcoming fall programs for College Crusade members include the following:
• Cru Club – September to June
A series of college-readiness and career-exploration programs provided to students after school and on Saturdays. Featured programs include college advising, adult mentoring, homework help, study-skills and life-skills workshops, book clubs, writing workshops, career decision making activities, career speakers, and service learning projects. Held weekdays in 32 Rhode Island middle schools and high schools and on Saturdays at Johnson & Wales University Harborside Campus, Providence. (Runs through June 2010)
• Career Day – October 3
A Saturday conference that introduces middle school students to a wide variety of career fields and career professionals. Students also learn about the educational requirements necessary for these careers. Guest speakers represent industries such as healthcare, finance, business, journalism, law and law enforcement, education, science, and technology. Held at New England Institute of Technology, Warwick.
• CAAP (Crusade Adventure and Academic Program) – October 3 to December 12
A 10-week program in adventure education for middle school students that improves self-esteem and develops skills in problem solving, team building, and healthy risk taking. Includes a writing component. Held on Saturdays at Roger Williams Middle School, Providence, and Ralph J. Holden Community Center, Central Falls.
• Saturday Academy – October 10 to December 12
A 30-hour academic enrichment program taught by The Princeton Review that helps middle school and high school students build reading, math, and English skills. Held Saturday mornings at Bishop McVinney School, Providence.
• Media Literacy Writing Workshop – October 10 to December 12
A ten-week writing program that teaches high school students how to analyze a broad spectrum of media messages, from music videos to MySpace. Participants will engage in critical thinking, writing, and discussion in a computer-interactive environment. Held Saturdays at the Providence Academy of International Studies, Providence.
• URI Discovery Days – October 10 and October 17
A Saturday visit for middle school students to the University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus. Includes a campus tour and scavenger hunt, informational meetings with URI students, and a football game.
• Annual Regional College Fair – October 17
Customized information session and orientation for College Crusade families and students who are attending the 2009 Annual Regional College Fair. The College Fair is sponsored by the RI Association of Admissions Officers and will be held this year at Rhode Island College, Providence.
• Getting to College Conference – October 24
A daylong conference that helps high school students master the various elements of the college admission process. Includes workshops in writing the personal essay, led by guest college admission professionals. Held at Jorge Alvarez High School, Providence.
• Afterschool Science Workshops – October to December
A series of afterschool science workshops provided in partnership with the University of Rhode Island’s “Pathways for Success in Science and Technology” project. Students develop skills in math, science, and technology and learn how science is a part of everyday life. The theme for this year’s workshops is astronomy. Held weekly at Nathanael Greene Middle School, Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School, and Roger Williams Middle School, Providence.
• Adventures in Literacy – October to May
A computer-assisted learning program for sixth-grade students called ReadAbout, created by Scholastic, Inc. Includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions. Held on Saturdays at The College Crusade office. (Runs through May 2010)
• College visits – November and December
Specially arranged visits for high school students to Northeastern University, University of Rhode Island, Providence College, and Roger Williams College. Participants tour campus, talk to college students, and learn firsthand about the opportunities and challenges of college life.
About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves approximately 3,700 students per year and rewards the efforts and achievements of financially eligible students with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Students who are members of The College Crusade graduate and go right on to college at much higher rates than their peers in the state’s urban school districts. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $20 million in college scholarships to more than 2,700 graduates from Rhode Island high schools. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.
The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.
###
Contact:
Karen Donovan
Marketing & Communications Officer
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
