Appleton's CDF Freedom School Macon 2017-2019
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Appleton sponsored its first Freedom School in 2017. This intensive six-week summer reading and enrichment program developed by the Children’s Defense Fund targets children living in underserved and impoverished communities who need to improve their reading skills and is offered free of charge to all attendees. Our scholars read new books every day; receive breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack; enjoy enrichment activities every afternoon; expand their cultural awareness; and become more engaged in their community. As part of the CDF National Assessment, 95.0% of our scholars maintained or increased their reading levels and avoided summer learning slide.
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In conjunction with the Macon-Bibb School System, Appleton's program emphasizes improved third grade reading scores and the pivotal transition by the end of that grade from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Appleton hosts fifty 1st - 3rd graders and delivers a curriculum rich in culturally-appropriate books that explore history, civic engagement, and social justice and encourage Freedom School scholars to make a difference in their families, their community, and the world. The CDF curriculum is enriched locally with activities in studio and ceramic art, science, dance, creative writing, math, music, chess, step, drama, and field trips to community landmarks and points of interest. Freedom School Macon is delivered with the assistance of college students, known as Servant Leader Interns, and supported by master teachers, enrichment instructors, nearly one hundred volunteers, and the Appleton Missioner.
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The program would not be possible without generous support from The Episcopal Church, Church Planting and Redevelopment - Mission Enterprise Zones; the Ministry Innovations Fund of the Diocese of Atlanta; the Episcopal Community Foundation of the Diocese of Atlanta; the Griffith Family Foundation, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia; the USDA Summer Feeding Program; Appleton program grants; private donations from individuals, corporations, churches, and clergy groups; and in-kind support from St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the St. Francis Art Center, and Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church. Ongoing funding for Freedom School is solicited above and beyond Appleton’s annual program grant budget and requires year-round planning and implementation to cover the cost of $1,800 per scholar.
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During the pandemic in 2020, we transitioned from CDF programming to a local program that was more responsive to the needs of our children as schools shut down and remote learning was limited. That program is known as Appleton Free To Read Summer. We have expanded literacy programming to include additional emphasis on math as well. The six-week program is still offered free of charge to our children and families. See other pages on our website for more recent details.
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