In December, Harvard distributed more than 200 bins filled with math and English language arts learning resources and games to 15 community organizations that provide Boston Public Schools (BPS) elementary and middle school students with homework/academic support and enrichment activities. Boston community based organizations receiving Harvard materials include: three Boston Public Library branches, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, local YMCA’s, and City Year Boston.
Allston-Brighton BPS schools and community based organizations receiving bins have been participating since September in the pilot Harvard Allston-Brighton Learning Community professional development series held at the Harvard Allston Educational Portal on the SmartTALK curriculum. SmartTALK is a Harvard developed professional development program focused on providing high quality academic support to Out-of-School Time providers. During the SmartTALK training sessions, Allston-Brighton Learning Community participants engage in interactive activities, are provided with multimedia training tools for staff and volunteers, and are given a forum for sharing best practices with one another.
In November, representatives from all 15 community organizations joined the Harvard team in Allston to help assemble and package the hundreds of bins of educational resources and activities for distribution to their respective programs and community based organizations throughout the City.
Harvard will continue to host the Allston-Brighton Learning Community meetings through the 2013 school year to help strengthen connections for BPS student achievement through community based organizations in Allston.