Bridging The Gap Inc

OUR VISION IS TO LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES TO OFFER CRUCIAL EMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO MINIMIZE LEARNING LOSS AND PROVIDE AN ESCAPE FROM THE PANDEMIC'S STRESSORS. EACH YEAR WE IDENTIFIED THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH STUDENT AND FAMILY SURVEYS AND THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR. IN EACH ACTIVITY, A LEARNING OBJECTIVE IS ESTABLISHED, AND WHILE ALSO FUN AND ENJOYABLE, WE AIM TO EXPOSE THE STUDENTS TO ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES THEY WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE HAD ACCESS TO. A SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OFFERED TO PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: EACH DAY, WE PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO OUR STUDENTS THROUGH HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, QUIZ/TEST PREPARATION, READING TO THEM, OR HAVING THEM READ TO THE STAFF OR THEIR PEERS, AND HAVING THEM ASSIST THEIR PEERS WITH HOMEWORK-ALL OF WHICH ENCOMPASS MATH AND LITERACY SUPPORT. EACH MONTH, WE SELECT STUDENTS TO ASSIST THE STAFF IN CARRYING OUT SOME OF OUR "MOST IMPORTANT" FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ASSISTING DURING ROLL CALL, SUPPER TIME, MOVING BETWEEN LOCATIONS WITHIN THE SCHOOL, AND FIRE DRILL; ALSO, BEING A PART OF THE CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE; AND STAFF ASSISTANT. ALSO, EACH MONTH ENRICHMENTS ARE OFFERED. WE SPEND APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HOURS PER WEEK IN THE SCHOOL'S GYMNASIUM OR OUTDOORS PLAYING STRUCTURED SPORTS AND ENJOYING FREE PLAY. WE HAVE GAMES, ART SUPPLIES, SPORTS EQUIPMENT, PRETEND-PLAY ITEMS (E.G., FAKE FOOD, CASH REGISTER, DOLLS), LEGO SETS, AND STEM ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SCIENCE KITS. ANOTHER KEY ELEMENT OF OUR PROGRAM THAT IS INTERWOVEN INTO ALL DAILY INTERACTIONS IS VIOLENCE REDUCTION. WE INCORPORATE SELF-REFLECTION EXERCISES WHEN A BEHAVIORAL ISSUE ARISES, AND WE ENGAGE IN ACHIEVEMENT MENTORING FOR EACH ENROLLEE. EACH YEAR, WE CONTRACT WITH A TRAINED YOGA INSTRUCTOR THAT TEACHES AGE-APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFERED TRIPS TO IFLY, NATIONAL HARBOR, NEW YORK CITY, AND OCEAN CITY. OUR SUCCESSES FROM PAST YEARS INCLUDE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAM WINNING THE MATH BEE AT EVERY GRADE LEVEL, TEACHERS NOTICING AN INCREASED DESIRE TO LEARN FROM STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAM, PARENTS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAM'S ACTIVITIES, THE BELMONT ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL IDENTIFYING A GREATER LEVEL OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR AND DECISION MAKING ACROSS THE SCHOOL SINCE BRIDGING THE GAP STARTED THERE, AND AN INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT EACH YEAR. WE SERVICED OVER 60 CHILDREN.