The Bridge to Excellence Partnership Programs and Projects

Resolving Conflict Creatively Program                                                              

For over 20 years Educators for Social Responsibility Metropolitan Area (ESR Metro) have trained New York City teachers to integrate conflict resolution and intercultural understanding into their classrooms. Teachers in grades 1-4 have begun training and classroom coaching for Year 1, as part of a multi-year initiative to train all teachers in grades 1-6. Peer mediation and family involvement components will be added in Year 2. Over time, the expected outcome should be a measurable positive difference in school relations - student to student, student to teacher, parent to teacher, and parent to student.

Oral History Project                                                                                            

Columbia University's Oral History Research Office has already begun training 3 teachers to support a multi-year oral history project for one classroom each in grades 4-6. Classrooms have received recording equipment, as well as professional development from an experienced oral history educator. The initial supply of equipment has already been purchased and teachers are now working on projects with their students. Work accomplished during Year 1 will be exhibited for the school community at the end of the school year. An increasing number of teachers will be trained each year following, and as the project grows, students' work will be archived in a community history library.

Family Education and Advocacy                                                                      

A series of parent workshops has been scheduled for the current school year. Topics include: homework help, family health and nutrition, special needs, and understanding rights under No Child Left Behind. Each session will be held in both English and Spanish. Two workshops have already been held this Fall, generating positive feedback from parents and caregivers.

Young People's Dance Series                                                                            

New York City Center's Young Peoples Dance Series will engage students in dance as a mode of expression and literacy building activity. The cost of the program includes professional development, in-school pre and post-visit workshops for students, and performances at City Center. Four classes in grades 3-6 will participate in two performances each in Year 1.

Family Fun & Fitness Day                                                                               

This event was held with considerable attendance on October 22, 2005 at the Ralph Bunche School. Families and children had access to information, screenings, demonstrations, healthy food, and participated enthusiastically in fitness activities. Several organizations collaborated to plan and support the event, including Harlem Hospital, Morningside Area Alliance, Community Premier Plus, NYC Department of Health and Mental Health, New York State Department of Education, Food Change, Cornell University, Region 10, Community Voices, Power 105 FM, Health Plus, and Harlem Children's Zone. A second event is being planned for the Spring of 2006.

Gothic Gotham Program                                                                                 

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine's "Gothic Gotham" program engages students in arts and culture and enhances academic skills through pre and post visits, field trips to the Cathedral, and hands-on workshops . Educators at the Cathedral work directly with teachers to correspond activities with curriculum standards. Four classes participated during last school year, with the goal to increase the number of participating classes in the current school year. Three classes from PS 125 have already participated this Fall.

Artists Reaching Out                                                         

Artists Reaching Out, a committed group of Columbia University students, brings various forms of art (music, creative writing, visual arts, and theatre) to elementary school students in New York City. ARO offers after school art classes on Fridays to approximately 40 students at the Ralph Bunche School. ARO has provided arts classes since it was founded first as a summer camp in 2002. This is ARO's second year operating as an after-school arts program, and it has been holding well-attended weekly classes this Fall.

International House Tutorial Program                         

International House graduate students volunteer to provide one on one tutoring sessions weekly at International House. Weekend field trips and social activities for tutors, students, and families take place throughout the year. The program has been actively tutoring students since it was founded in 1968. Thirteen PS 125 students are currently participating in the program this Fall.