2025 Schedule: To Be Announced
Program Hours: Monday - Friday from 7:30am to 2:45pm.
Family Night/Orientation
May TBD | 5:30-6:30pm
Daily Schedule
8:00-8:30 A.M. / Breakfast with Scholars and Staff
8:30-9:00 A.M. / "Harambee!"
What is 鈥淗arambee!鈥�?
This is how we start each and every day! Harambee! is a Kiswahili word that means 鈥渓et鈥檚 pull together.鈥� To ensure that every child has a fair start, the Children鈥檚 Defense Fund Freedom Schools start the day with informal sharing when children, staff, parents, and members of the community come together to celebrate themselves and others. Components: Read Aloud / Motivational Songs / Cheers & Chants / Recognitions / Moment of Silence / Announcements
9:00-10:30 A.M. / Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC)*
Reading, Conflict Resolution, Social Action
10:30-10:45 A.M. / Morning Break
10:45-11:45 A.M. / Integrated Reading Curriculum (Part 2)*
11:45-12:00 P.M. / D.E.A.R. Time
Drop Everything and Read: a time everyone takes to enjoy reading a book of their choosing. Both children and adults select from the diverse Elinor Ross CDF Freedom School classroom libraries.
12:00-1:00 P.M. / Lunch with Scholars
1:00- 3:00 P.M. / Afternoon Activities
Each afternoon offers fun projects and activities - including art, music, theater, and fitness; plus experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math. The afternoon schedule also includes weekly field trips to several local and regional venues.
What is the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC)?
The IRC recognizes that fewer than 10% of children鈥檚 books published in the United States are about non-white children. Therefore, the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) brings together a group of outstanding authors and illustrators each year to select from a diverse body of children鈥檚 literature/books that celebrate and nurture multiple identities and cultures.
A distinguished group of historians and scholars reviews and recommends books used in CDF Freedom Schools to ensure that children read only those containing accurate narratives of history. Servant Leader Interns lead the children in reading several excellent children鈥檚 books throughout the summer. These books feature heroes, heroines, and settings that reflect the children鈥檚 own cultural images and histories.
