Help an Immigrant Child Succeed in School

IFSI students continue to learn and thrive at our PLUS+ afterschool and weekend academic and enrichment programs. Every day after school,  40 school children ages 5 to 18 come to IFSI to get help with their homework and focus on challenging academic skills.  As the children work one on one with teachers or in small table groups, it is apparent that they are willing to put in the time and hard work it takes to catch up to their peers and be successful in school. The difference that individual attention is making in the lives of our children is simply amazing.

From an IFSI Volunteer:

Recently, I had the opporunity to work with an 8th grade boy, " Michael",  who wanted to work on his reading and comprehension skills.  We chose the book Crispen by Avi to read out loud to each other taking turns chapter by chapter. Crispen is set in medieval times and the vocalulary was quite foreign.  Whenever we came to a new word, Michael first attempted to glean the meaning from the context.  As we talked each new word through and then summarized each chapter for each other, I could see the light bulbs going on in Michael's brain.  What began as an exercise in drudgery was quickly becoming interesting and fun.  When our reading time was up, we were both sad to have it end. We cannot wait to pick up Crispen again next week to see what happens and learn more new words!

In addition to working on academics, IFSI is providing a safe and nurturing enviroment for children who have recently arrived in the US often amidst crisis and turmoil.Many children are living with extended families they do not know, sometimes seperated from their parents or even grieving the loss of a parent.

From the IFSI Director:

Just last week we accepted 2 new families into the IFSI PLUS+ After School Program.  One young 5 year boy is coming to us in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.  He has lost his home and so much more.  IFSI is providing him with a safe place to be and a community of friends who speak his language and can provide comfort.  Two young teens have also started to attend the IFSI PLUS+ After School Program. Their father can finally find peace knowing that his children are getting both the academic and emotional help they need at this turbulent time in their young lives.

A recent highlight for the IFSI is that one of our musical ensemble groups was invited to perform at the Lenny Zakim Foundation Annual Awards Ceremony on February 6th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston.  Our children were nervous but happy.  After the performance, the children were awarded a standing ovation and many attendees commented on the poise and prefessionalism of the group. 

We are encouraging our older students to think about contuniuing their education after high school.  Many of the families we serve do not even think about college as an option and do not know how to even begin the college admissions porcess.  We are working with a private college consultant to develop an educational program for our high school students and their families which will begin this April.  Families will gain an understanding of academic and testing requirements, timelines, financial aid procdeures and more.  We will help individual students with their college applications.  We are excited for the oppotunity to help our children strive for more!

Finally, we are in high gear preparing for our PLUS+ Summer Program.  In addtion to academic support, music lessons, art and physical fitness programs and field trips, we are developign a new TECHONOLOGY Program for our Middle and High School students in introduce them to practical hands on experiements with technology including computer programming and robotics.

We appreciate your continued support!

Links:

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