CDF Freedom Schools - Deaconess Foundation

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Beyond Housing, in partnership with Deaconess Foundation, will sponsor a network of CDF Freedom Schools® summer programs for children in grades kindergarten (children must have completed kindergarten prior to the start of the program) through five in the St. Louis region.

The program provides summer enrichment around five essential components: high-quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, and nutritional, physical, and mental health. Enrichment is driven by the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC) which primarily focuses on literacy to curb summer learning loss and close opportunity gaps.

The six-week summer program provides literacy building and personal-empowerment activities, meals, snacks and field trips at no charge to families. The CDF Freedom Schools® model also includes extensive testing and evaluation to measure academic progress.

Dates:
June 10 - July 19, 2024 (Monday - Friday)
Program will be CLOSED June 19 and July 4-5, 2024
Attendance is important during the six-week program. Absences are limited to three.

Program Hours:
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
After-care hours TBD

In the final week of Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars are exploring the theme of With Hope, Education, and Action. Readings this week include All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

This week our Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars are exploring the theme of Country. Readings highlight stories of our nation past and present, including Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Pinkey Davis. The Freedom Schools curriculum is rooted in the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/

This week our Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools scholars explored the theme of Family. The six-week Freedom Schools program centers on literacy, leadership, and social advocacy. Featured readings this week included “My Hands Tell A Story” by Kelly Starling Lyons and “Our Story Starts in Africa” by Patrice Lawrence. Learn more about CDF Freedom Schools here: deaconess.org/cdf-freedom-schools/