Collecting the tools for success

Student U. aims to prepare kids for sixth grade, life beyond

In the Wednesday, July 4, 2007 edition of The Herald-Sun, the following printed correction appeared: A Sunday article should have said the Durham Public Schools provides lunch and breakfast for children in the Student U. program at Durham Academy this summer and that DA provides transportation. See correction notes in body of text.

Robert Traynham is the first to admit he hasn't always been the best reader.

It's something that's started to change this summer -- and something he hopes to improve by his first day of sixth grade at Rogers-Herr Middle School this fall.

"I can already write much better," Robert said. "And I can already read much better."

It's likely that within six weeks, in addition to the writing and reading skills, Robert also will learn some math, science and social studies -- as well as other tools he'll need to succeed in middle school.

He's one of 49 Durham Public Schools rising sixth-graders attending the brand-new Student U., a program funded fully through private donations to help specially chosen kids prepare for middle school.

It doesn't end there, though.

The Student U. teachers, who are college students, will meet with, tutor and mentor the children throughout middle and high school. The students will come back each summer.

"I don't think anyone is thinking this is just a summer program," said Dan Kimberg, founder and director of Student U. "The tutors will be meeting with the students weekly during the school year, and for longer mentoring sessions monthly. It doesn't just end. We want to see them all the way through high school."

A Duke University graduate from Westchester County, N.Y., Kimberg said he designed Student U. not just to aid kids who might need a bit of help before middle school, but also to draw more college students into the teaching profession.

Durham Academy donated space for Student U., along with breakfast and lunch for the students (CORRECTION NOTE: Durham Public Schools provides lunch and breakfast for children in the Student U. program at Durham Academy this summer and that DA provides transportation.), who spend a full day at the school.

Durham Public Schools is busing the students each day, and a variety of donations pay teachers' salaries and other costs. The students, who are chosen because they have academic and financial needs, pay no tuition.

"These college students who are teaching are successful because they love learning," Kimberg said. "They're bringing that to the students each day. They're interacting with the students."

Students use their teachers' first names when addressing them, as in "Miss Amy" or "Miss Amanda." The classes are small, with five or six students in each, and the kids could choose four of 16 electives to take during the six-week program.

Each teacher designed an elective, resulting in classes on hip hop, the art of arguing, recycling and the history of tae kwon do.

On a recent morning, five students in Amanda Dorsey's class learned about Peru, where Robert's pen-pal lives. All the students have pen-pals, and Dorsey plans to teach about where they all come from.

Another class learned about plants, and students enthusiastically pound leaves onto fabric to make green prints from the chloroplasts. Another class learned how mountains and volcanoes form.

Ray Cruz, 11, likes a lot about Student U. -- the classes, the teachers and the other students. But he said it has one major practical benefit.

"If I never came here, I'd forget everything [I'd learned during the school year] over the summer," said Ray, who will attend Lowe's Grove Middle School in the fall.

Micah Riley, 10, said this summer is the first time he ever truly learned how to divide fractions.

"The people who don't come here, they won't learn what we do," Micah said. "If you are still confused about what you learned, they will help you."

The teachers are just as enthusiastic.

It's evident as program director Amy Hamilton runs up a staircase where Kimberg is talking with a reporter and a few other people.

"Did you see the Bill of Rights the students just made?" she asked. "This is just so great. Will you please come see it?"

Students in a class called Global Connects -- Student U.'s version of social studies -- have written a list of rights for themselves. All of the students have signed it, and it hangs outside their classroom, with statements such as, "Everyone has the right not to drop out of school," and "Every student has the right not to be teased."

Ten-year-old Jared Lopez, who will attend Durham School of the Arts this fall, helped create the poster. He said he's learned a lot in the first several days at Durham Academy.

"I didn't know there were so many rights," Jared said. "And we were researching Paris. I didn't know the Eiffel Tower had a restaurant. Did you know that?"

ON THE WEB

To learn more about Student U. program,visit http://studentu.da.org

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