CPS Expands Summer Bridge and Meal Program

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Chicago Public Schools expands its Safe Haven program to 110 sites this summer.
Chicago Public Schools expands its Safe Haven program to 110 sites this summer.

As the school-year comes to an end, parents are no doubt in search of activities that will keep their children occupied over the summer. One to consider is Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) free summer bridge and meal program an expansion of its Safe Haven program where 110 sites across the city will offer school-aged children educational activities and meals while they're out of school.

“I want to thank our dedicated community partners for their unwavering commitment to keeping our children safe and filling their summers with valuable activities and experiences,” said CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. “Everyone in the community shares a responsibility to keep our children safe and provide opportunities that will allow them to succeed. We are grateful that our faith leaders and food service partners share our commitment to providing wholesome summer programs and the children they serve.”

According to the National Summer Learning Association who compiled research data on this matter from various sources, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills, during the summer months because they experience learning losses when they are on vacation breaks.

Additional Summer Learning Association data shows:

· Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months and that low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains.

· More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.

· Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer. Most children—particularly children at high risk of obesity—gain weight more rapidly when they are out of school during summer break.

Summer vacation creates additional problems for students without access to extra-curricular educational opportunities, adequate adult supervision and of course, healthy meals which is why the Safe Haven and other citywide summer feeding programs, including CPS’ expanded LunchStop program, are offered in the summertime.

The Safe Haven program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, between June 30 and August 8th.

Since 2009, Save Haven programs engaged students through activities and programs available within their own neighborhoods. Each site provides a variety of services to children, including reading programs, tutoring, performing arts and the opportunity work with college graduates and mentors from the church communities.

This year’s programming will have a special focus on anti-bullying themes, engaging students in both educational and social-emotional activities that will prepare them for the next academic year. 

Each of the partner locations will provide students free breakfast and lunch through CPS’s partnership with New Life Ministries. For a list of Safe Haven locations and contact information, please visit: www.cps.edu/SafeHaven.

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