MAAX: What's New

Yale-Bridgeport GEAR UP Partnership

Yale University School of Medicine is pleased to announce its partnership with Bridgeport Public Schools as recipients of U.S. Department of Education's GEAR UP program (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). The primary goal of the initiative is to prepare all Bridgeport students with the skills and aspirations needed to graduate from high school and prepared to succeed in a productive post-secondary educational option of their choice. The funding for this project targets the student who are in the 7th grade in the 2008-09 school year and will follow those students through their freshman year in college.

To accomplish this goal, three performance objectives have been identified: 1) to increase students’ academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education; 2) to increase graduation rates and entry into post secondary education; 3) to increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of post-secondary education options, preparation, financing. All programs and services are designed to meet each objective.

This proposal seeks to recruit a cohort of 1,447 seventh grade students from all 19 middle schools in Bridgeport: Barnum, Batalla, Blackham, Columbus, Cross, Curiale, Dunbar, High Horizons, Hooker, Johnson, Longfellow, Marin, Multi-cultural, Park City, Read, Roosevelt, Tisdale, Waltersville and Winthop. An array of programs and services has been designed to address each performance objective.

Targeted interventions for teachers are designed to improve the quality of instruction for middle and high school students in the areas of mathematics and English. Training will involve classroom embedded coaching, professional learning communities, in-service trainings, and summer institutes.

Professional development for guidance counselors will include training in principles and best practices of positive youth development to support the establishment of youth-driven leadership and mentoring programs for adolescents. Counselors will also participate in training to design, implement, and manage effective high school transition programs.

Academic enrichment and support programs extended to students include classroom-based instruction in affective education (The MAAX program), small group workshops, and individual academic advising. An array of college and career awareness workshops, college tours, and tutoring, mentoring, and accelerated summer learning experiences will also be provided for students.

A full range of high quality college preparatory tools will be available to families to assist them in navigating the college planning process. Other services extended to parents will include the dissemination of materials and workshops on increasing parenting capacities, participation in a parent advisory council, managing school transitions, and college preparation and financial aid options.

Finally, support to sustain this initiative has been ensured through matching partnership agreements made by a diverse and broad based collaborative of agencies that include ASPIRA, Bridgeport Parent Center, Bridgeport Higher Education Alliance, Bridgeport Public Education Fund, Bridgeport Regional Council, Charter Oak Challenge Foundation, Fairfield County Community Foundation, Fairfield University, Family Services of Woodfield, Housatonic Community College Foundation, Institute for Urban and Minority Education, Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut, Lighthouse Program, Ralphola Taylor Community Center, State Education Resource Center, United Way of Eastern Fairfield County, University of Bridgeport. Valerie Purdie-Vaughns, Ph.D., and VIP College Preparatory Program.

Please click here for a PDF copy of our Yale-Bridgeport GEAR UP Partnership Briefing Booklet.

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National GEAR UP Day

National GEAR UP day was September 18, 2009. All of the schools in Bridgeport celebrated in some way. Here are just a few pictures of some of the things done at our schools.

At Multicultural Magnet School Academic Advisor Karissa Stach organized a door decorating contest to commemorate the day. The teachers (of course with the help of their students!) decorated the doors with information about their alma maters. Click here to see photos of the doors.

At Dunbar School Academic Advisor Marquelle Middleton handed out awards to selected students. Click here to see some of their photos.

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"Move to Succeed" at Dunbar Middle School

Academic Advisor Paul Herman is a professional dancer. He and his brother Brian own a dance company called Double Up and they frequently visit schools to talk with students about the importance of attending college if you want a career in the entertainment business. Below is a link to a video of Paul's visit to Dunbar school in the spring of 2009. John Ramos, Jr. was the Academic Advisor at Dunbar at that time. John can be seen with Paul walking down the hall at the beginning of the video, and later showing his moves on the dance floor!

click here to see the video

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Roosevelt Middle School GEAR UP Dance Party!!

The GEAR UP Academic Advisor at Roosevelt Middle School, Mr. Paul Herman, also happens to be half of the dance team "Double Up Dance Group" which also features his brother Brian. In April, Double Up hosted a dance party for the students at Roosevelt Middle School.

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"Live at 4" Hoop Tournament
Roosevelt Middle School

April 28th was the first ever Roosevelt “live at 4” hoop it up tournament. There were had sixteen 7^th grade students participating in the event and they loved it! From 3-4pm they had pizza, drinks, and learned the rules of the event. From 4-5pm they went to the gym warmed up, stretched, and played at least 3 games of full court basketball.

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The Great Debate

On March 28, over 30 students from the 7th grade in Bridgeport spent the day in New Haven for a tour of Yale University, the screening of the movie "The Great Debaters" and to attend the Yale-Howard Debate. The debate was sponsored by the NAACP to celebrate it's 100 year anniversary. The students first took a tour of Yale University, pictures from which are below. They then went to Becton Hall Room 102 to watch the movie "The Great Debaters" starring Denzel Washington. After some discussion about the movie and debates in general, the students had some free time in which to eat pizza, play video games and engage in other recreational activities. The debate teams from Yale University and Howard University met in Woolsey Hall to debate the topics of the economy and education.

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Student Art Show

Students from Blackham Middle School Art Club will have an art show at Day One Skate Shop & Art Space on Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 3:00-6:00. The Space is located at 605 Brewster St., Bridgeport, CT. Click here for a student flyer (pdf).