Come Visit Starfish Academy 2007!

Join us for breakfast with our exceptional starfish students followed by a tour to learn how this literacy program has shaped the children of our community.

Tours will be held at the Cornelius and Huntersville Elementary Schools
Wednesday, July 25th or Thursday, July 26th
Meet at 8am in front of either school.

We sincerely hope that you can participate in one of the Starfish Academy tours and see how the Y is truly working in our community to build stronger children and families.

Please RSVP to 704-716-4460 to let us know which day and location you can attend.

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Starfish Academy Literacy Camp is a collaborative, innovative summer literacy camp which targets first and second grade students in need of help achieving the reading and comprehension goals recommended for their grade level. Children improve their reading and comprehension skills and develop positive self-esteem in a safe supervised, interactive learning environment. Starfish Academy has served over 1000 students in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system. Beginning in the summer of 2007 the program will be held at the Cornelius and Huntersville Elementary Schools.
 

WHOM OUR PROGRAM SERVES
Starfish serves children, ages six and seven, who are performing below their recommended grade level on standardized reading and comprehension tests. The children are invited to participate in this program at no cost to their families. The six week program provides each child with 100+ additional hours of focused instruction by experienced, certified teachers and works to increase parent involvement.
 

RESOURCES AND FUNDING
Our Starfish Academy is totally funded from the Lake Norman YMCA Annual Community Outreach Campaign. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools provides the classrooms. The cost of the implementation of the program is $1,200 per child.


WHAT MAKES STARFISH EXEMPLARY
Starfish represents how strong community partnerships can make a difference in a child's life. 

     • As part of the program design, the academic curriculum is led by certified
       teachers.

    • The ratio of one teacher to eight students offers the opportunity for high impact
       relationships that are conductive to learning. 

    • Starfish incorporates a Character Development component designed to build
      positive self-esteem within the children we serve. Led by a Character
      Development Champion, the Lake Norman YMCA ensures that this program  
      reflects our desire to communicate and model the characteristics of respect,
      caring, honesty, responsibility and faith.

Two days a week, after instruction, children are transported by bus to the Lake Norman YMCA facility for swimming and activities in a day camp environment. This crucial aspect of the program allows us to focus on the needs of the whole child - the children not only learn better reading skills and comprehension, they truly experience summer "camp".


For more information contact:
Catherine Hamilton-Genson
Community Development Director
(704) 716-4431
catherine.hamilton@ymcacharlotte.org