From CDF Freedom School
to Appleton Free to read™
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Appleton sponsored its first CDF 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; received breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack; enjoyed enrichment activities every afternoon; expanded their cultural awareness; and became 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 District, Appleton's program emphasized improved third grade reading scores and the pivotal transition by the end of that grade from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Appleton hosted up to fifty 1st - 3rd graders and delivered a curriculum rich in culturally-appropriate books that explored history, civic engagement, and social justice and encouraged Freedom School scholars to make a difference in their families, their community, and the world. The CDF curriculum was 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 was delivered with the assistance of college students, known as Servant Leader Interns, and supported by master teachers, enrichment instructors, nearly one hundred volunteers, and Appleton's Missioner.
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The program was made possible through 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. Funding for Freedom School was solicited above and beyond Appleton’s annual program grant budget and required year-round planning and implementation to cover the cost of $1,800 per scholar.
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During the pandemic in 2020, Appleton 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 for the children that we serve. That program is known as Appleton Free To Read™ Summer. Since 2020, we have developed our own curriculum that follows many of the same tenets as Freedom School but incorporates the Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory phonics program which effectively addresses the critical literacy deficiencies many of our children experience. The six-week program is still offered free of charge to our children and families and includes free meals, transportation, and expanded wrap-around services. See other pages on our website for more recent details of this exciting and inspiring program that partners primarily with Lewis Elementary and Veterans Elementary Schools in Macon.
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