Students teach city children in summer program

For most University students, the summer is a time of fun under the sun and a welcomed escape from the classroom. But for College senior Kym May there is no escape. For approximately eight weeks during the summer, May is a full-time teacher for a national collaborative organization called Summer Bridge, a two-year tuition-free enrichment program for bright, motivated middle school children. The program targets high school and college students as its teachers, and educationally "at risk" and low income children as the students. "Summer Bridge functions as the bridge between middle school and high school to close the gap between students and their teachers," May said. "The students can really see their teachers as friends." And program director and middle school teacher Julie Friedberg said that "having such young teachers creates a sort of academic utopia for these students." The seventh and eighth grade students involved in the program go through a rigorous and competitive application process. On average, more than 60 children apply for only 30 spots. In addition, each classroom has only four to eight students. The reason behind keeping the size of the chapters small is to ensure that students receive adequate attention from their teachers. "It is ultimately the student's decision to apply to the Summer Bridge," said Friedberg, "The kids really want to do better in school. They have to be motivated to do two to three hours of homework each night of the summer." The students involved in Summer Bridge engage in a diverse courseload, consisting of literature, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and language classes. They also participate in after-school electives such as theater arts, journalism, and sports. May said that the program is supported by donations from private individuals as well as from large corporations. Its teachers receive a small stipend for the summer. She added that the Summer Bridge program was established in 1978 in San Francisco. As of 1991, there were only three chapters in existence. Now, however, there are 28 chapters of the organization in both the United States and abroad. Friedberg said that the Summer Bridge program has two main objectives. The first is to prepare middle school children for college preparatory courses, and the second is to encourage high school and college students to become involved in educating youth. Friedberg said that Summer Bridge is not just limited to the six-week, intensive summer program. There is also a year-round component in which students' progress is tracked throughout the school year. The students attend the summer session for two consecutive summers and optional tutoring sessions at "Saturday Schools" during the school year. The newest Summer Bridge chapter is slated to open this summer in the Germantown section of Philadelphia at the Germantown Friends School. The new chapter will be the only one in Pennsylvania, and consist of 35 seventh grade students and 15 high school and college staff members. And its organizers are encouraging University students and faculty to participate regardless of whether or not their interests lie in the educational field, she said. "The program is amazing -- it has a life-transforming effect on all who become involved, both teachers and students," Friedberg said. "One of the greatest learning experiences is for the teachers. It is so easy to be sucked into the lives of these children." May said that she agreed. "I believe that people here at Penn can really benefit from what Summer Bridge has to offer," said May. "Being a teacher and trying to communicate an idea to seventh graders is quite a challenge and has helped me become a better student. Besides, the relationships that you make with these kids are incredible." May added there will be an informational meeting tonight for students interested in participating in the Summer Bridge program. It will be held in the Bishop White room in Houston Hall at 7:30 p.m. In addition, the Germantown chapter is scheduled to begin summer session on July 5th with the staff working from June 26th until August 16th.

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