116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Freedom School to be offered again this summer in Cedar Rapids
Tanager Place to double number of students accepted to 60
Mar. 25, 2022 6:00 am, Updated: Mar. 25, 2022 7:36 am
The students who were enrolled in the first Freedom School in Iowa last summer showed an increase in literacy, self-esteem, social-emotional skills and love of learning.
Tanager Place worked with the Cedar Rapids Community School District to identify 30 students who would most benefit from the program, particularly students who are racial minorities or who come from low-income households.
What’s happened since?
The free, six-week program is being offered again this summer by Tanager Place. It will double in size, to 60 students.
The program, which will run from June 13 to July 22, is for students going into sixth, seventh and eighth grades. It will be held at McKinley STEAM Academy, 620 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids.
“I cannot stress enough how pleased I have been with the program,” said Okpara Rice, Tanager Place CEO. “Our young people did not experience summer learning loss, and actually a majority made strides in reading by a year and a half.
“That’s the whole point of why we brought the program here.”
Last year, 20 of the school’s students were tested at the beginning and end of the program. Rather than show summer learning loss, they showed an average increase of a year and four months in instructional reading levels, according to data from the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools.
Nineteen students completed an online or paper survey that showed positive changes in their attitudes and character skills. They developed conflict resolution skills, became more engaged in academics and demonstrated self-empowerment and participation in social action.
Children also said the Freedom School helped them:
- Gain confidence and assess their strengths and limitations.
- Regulate their emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
- Empathize with others.
- Communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict and seek and offer help when needed.
On average, children read almost seven books during Freedom School.
The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools are rooted in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer Project, which provided a reading and humanities curriculum of English, art, creative writing, math and science.
Relaunched in 1993 by Marian Wright Edelman, the program has reached more than 150,000 children since 1995. It’s offered at 182 sites in the United States.
The program strives to give children the opportunity to enhance learning through characters that look like them and have had similar experiences. It builds students’ home libraries, increases their confidence, boosts their interest in social and civic engagement and advocacy and addresses mental health risk factors.
In addition, students go on field trips to college campuses, museums, the library, baseball games and Camp Tanager, where they can swim, do archery and engage in other camp activities.
Tanager Place helps children and families in Eastern Iowa overcome challenges and find mental wellness. It offers treatment, outreach and prevention and gives children tools to be successful.
Families interested in the Freedom School or other Tanager Place resources can reach Tanager Place at (319) 365-9164.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
Students and leaders play Foursquare June 29, 2021, at Freedom School at McKinley STEAM Academy in Cedar Rapids. The free, six-week summer program, run by Tanager Place, will be offered against this summer. Students last year said they grew academically and socially in the program, which combats the summer loss in learning. (The Gazette)
Zan Ronnenberg (background center), 13, a Harding Middle School student, attempts to style program mentor Maggie Callanan's hair during June 29 outdoor activities last year at the Freedom School in Cedar Rapids. (The Gazette)
Science Brown-Whatley, 10, of Cedar Rapids, does an aerial cartwheel during June 29 outdoor activities last year at the Freedom School in Cedar Rapids. The program is being offered again this summer for 60 students entering sixth, seventh and eighth grades. (The Gazette)
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