M.A.S.T.R. Kids Closing The Achievement Gap!
Tax deductible
Together, we can enable children in this "at-risk" community. We can develop M.A.S.T.R. Kids with skills to lead for the future!
In August 2015, the Tampa Bay Times published a Pulitzer Prize winning expose entitled “Failure Factories” in which they said -- “these neighborhoods in southern Pinellas County are the most concentrated site of academic failure in all of Florida.” The article went on to cite several important statistics for the elementary schools in this community: 8 of 10 students failed Standardized Reading tests; 9 of 10 students failed math; 95% of black students tested are failing reading or math. Our community is made of heroic parents and resourceful students, so these statistics clearly do not reflect the potential of our children. M.A.S.T.R. Kids empowers students and parents to change the statistics!
The M.A.S.T.R. Kids Summer Program – Math, Arts, Science, Technology, Reading – sets a goal to minimize summer learning loss, which is typically 12+ weeks for youths living in “at risk” areas and has proven cumulative impact on the achievement gap. We are focused on youths in grades K-8. We build, maintain skills during this critical “out-of-school” time using “hands-on”, integrated education tools and certified teachers with a proven history of helping children in this community master the necessary skills. There is a heavy emphasis on reading as a proven catalyst to building student confidence and continued engagement in learning. We also leverage activities beyond a traditional classroom experience with Arts instruction three-days per week delivered by a local arts organizations; field trips to the zoo, skating rink, museums, a solid waste processing facility, etc. to maximize the "hands-on interactive learning.
Kids show off new STEM learning.
Three of our M.A.S.T.R. kids show off the robotic dogs they built in a little acrobatic show of skills!
M.A.S.T.R. Kids learn swimming as a life skill.
The Art of Dance
Our results demonstrate that we are reaching the right students AND we are making a real difference!! 80% of our students avoided summer learning loss in each of the last four summers. 635% of the children in last year's programs posted learning GAINS in READING, 57% posted GAINS in MATH. We have served over two hundred kids since 2016, with many of our students returning each summer.
This summer we are also engaging parents to enhance their skills as advocates for their students' education – teaching them to interpret test scores, secure evaluations, etc.
The true cost of our camp is about $3000 per student. We charge parents between $100 and $200 based on need. We need your help to offset the remaining costs. JOIN me in advancing literacy and closing the achievement gap for children in South St. Petersburg! We can enable these children and their schools to change the label -- from "Failure to M.A.S.T.R.-Y"!
In August 2015, the Tampa Bay Times published a Pulitzer Prize winning expose entitled “Failure Factories” in which they said -- “these neighborhoods in southern Pinellas County are the most concentrated site of academic failure in all of Florida.” The article went on to cite several important statistics for the elementary schools in this community: 8 of 10 students failed Standardized Reading tests; 9 of 10 students failed math; 95% of black students tested are failing reading or math. Our community is made of heroic parents and resourceful students, so these statistics clearly do not reflect the potential of our children. M.A.S.T.R. Kids empowers students and parents to change the statistics!
The M.A.S.T.R. Kids Summer Program – Math, Arts, Science, Technology, Reading – sets a goal to minimize summer learning loss, which is typically 12+ weeks for youths living in “at risk” areas and has proven cumulative impact on the achievement gap. We are focused on youths in grades K-8. We build, maintain skills during this critical “out-of-school” time using “hands-on”, integrated education tools and certified teachers with a proven history of helping children in this community master the necessary skills. There is a heavy emphasis on reading as a proven catalyst to building student confidence and continued engagement in learning. We also leverage activities beyond a traditional classroom experience with Arts instruction three-days per week delivered by a local arts organizations; field trips to the zoo, skating rink, museums, a solid waste processing facility, etc. to maximize the "hands-on interactive learning.
Kids show off new STEM learning.
Three of our M.A.S.T.R. kids show off the robotic dogs they built in a little acrobatic show of skills!
M.A.S.T.R. Kids learn swimming as a life skill.
The Art of Dance
Our results demonstrate that we are reaching the right students AND we are making a real difference!! 80% of our students avoided summer learning loss in each of the last four summers. 635% of the children in last year's programs posted learning GAINS in READING, 57% posted GAINS in MATH. We have served over two hundred kids since 2016, with many of our students returning each summer.
This summer we are also engaging parents to enhance their skills as advocates for their students' education – teaching them to interpret test scores, secure evaluations, etc.
The true cost of our camp is about $3000 per student. We charge parents between $100 and $200 based on need. We need your help to offset the remaining costs. JOIN me in advancing literacy and closing the achievement gap for children in South St. Petersburg! We can enable these children and their schools to change the label -- from "Failure to M.A.S.T.R.-Y"!
Fundraising team (2)
Bridgette Heller
Organizer
St. Petersburg, FL
Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Eliot Heller
Team member
