Freedom School
About Freedom School
Maplewood UMC, in partnership with LifewiseStL, is excited to offer Freedom School again this summer for children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th Grade!
The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools seek to build strong, literate, and empowered children (known as “scholars” in the Freedom Schools program) by providing them with the tools to make a difference in themselves, their families, and the world around them. Freedom School plays a much-needed role in helping to curb summer learning loss and close achievement gaps, by providing children with summer reading enrichment.
Freedom School will be held for six consecutive weeks from
June 23rd-August 1st, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Freedom School is offered at no cost to participants. But, students must be available to attend for the full six-week period. We have room for 20 students.
What Happens at Freedom School
At Freedom School children begin the day with breakfast. After breakfast they gather for Harambe, which includes a read aloud, singing, announcements, and a moment of silence.
Scholars spend the morning interacting and learning together in classrooms. Peer Counselor Interns facilitate classes of no more than 10 students.
During this time, the scholars read and engage in hands-on ways with high-quality children’s books. These books feature heroes, heroines, and settings that reflect the children’s own cultural images and history.
The morning closes with 15 minutes of independent reading--Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.).
After lunch the scholars experience a variety of enrichment activities, including weekly field trips.
At the end of the six-week session of Freedom School the children will leave with their own library of books to keep and enjoy.
If you have questions please contact us!
Call: 314-781-5902
Email: Office@maplewoodumc.org
This year, aftercare will be available at no cost from 3 to 5:30 pm
The Community Unity Center, a ministry of Maplewood United Methodist Church, will be hosting Freedom School Aftercare this summer called Kid's Club Summer Camp!
Our Kid's Club Summer Camp Program will be a safe, nurturing, intergenerational community environment for Freedom School scholars and their families!
For more information about aftercare or if you
have any problems signing up please contact us!
Call: 314-781-5902
Email: Office@maplewoodumc.org
Looking for ways to help serve Freedom School?
Freedom School meets from June 16 through August 1st, Monday through Friday (with the exception of holidays). Mealtime helpers are needed at breakfast time form 7:50 - 9:00 a.m. and at lunch time from 11:50 - 1 p.m.
We are looking for helpers from 2:30-5:30p.m. These volunteers will lead activities with the children, serve snack and dinner.
We are looking for helpers to sign up to read to the Freedom School students from
8:50-9:30 a.m.
8:50-9:30 a.m.