Strengths

The Cambridge Elementary School CARES is a well established program with strong support from our community partners as well as from our school site and administration. We strive to provide quality academics, enrichment, health and nutrition lessons to the diverse needs of our children. This support stems from a history of excellent programming, coordination, and strong program leadership. Financially we are supported by grants from both state and city initiatives.

The Cambridge Elementary School CARES is a program focused on the academic, physical and social development of our youth. United with our community and school administrators, we strive to keep our kids off the street and bring them into a safe and fun learning environment in which they feel comfortable to express their creativity. As teachers, administrators, parents and staff we tale ownership into teaching our youth to be leaders of today and tomorrow.

Challenges

In order to maintain high quality services being offered to our students and families, additional funding sources are continually being pursued. There is an ongoing need to maintain high quality training and mentorship for CARES staff to ensure qualified staff are serving our students. Expanded opportunities for culturally diverse and enriching opportunities prepare students with the life experiences.

Although time restriction is an everyday challenge we face, with great planning and leadership, we still manage to incorporate all our planned activities.

Programs for Students and Families

Homework Help, Nutrition Education, Cooking, Dance, Arts and Crafts, Hula Academy, Gardening, and a diversity of clubs; i.e. sports, puzzle making, seasonal activities and others.

Daily nutritional snack provided in partnership with Food Services Department and the USDA. Snack varies each day. Every child gets 1 snack per day.

• Homework Help: 1 hour HW assistance and 1.25 hour structured enrichment or recreation.
• ASPIRE Program: 1 hour of academic Intervention with a Credentialed teacher in either English Language Arts and Mathematic. Student to teacher ratio is 6:1. This program has eligibility requirements, inquire within.
• Math/Spelling kickball: Outside games integrating math facts and spelling words.

• Enrichment opportunities: 1.5 hours structured enrichment or recreation. Enrichment programming includes arts and crafts, athletics, leadership, and home economics programs. Programming focuses on the youth development model.
• Nutrition Education: 7 hours a week of nutrition education and physical activity promotion. Students participate in nutrition lessons, fitness card, cooking classes and field trips to the Gardens.
• CARES Gardens: Our two After School Gardens host daily classes in the garden serving all 14 CARES After School programs integrating nutrition, youth development and community development.
• St. Mary's College Sports: Four volunteers from the Education Department, visit daily from February to June to work with students and coordinate the CARES sports program.
• Hula Academy: Pacific Island's Culture performances serving over 100 students K-5 and their families. Host an annual Luau in the spring, attracting over 300 people from the Monument Community, Bay Point, Walnut Creek.
• CARES Jeopardy game show: The student participate in a game similar to Jeopardy; it is done by grade level - K and 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 4th and 5th. We have several questions for them to answer, some are cmmon sense and some are linked to academics, it is academics disguised as a game, where th students are having fun while learning.
• New Kids Program: This program provides extra support to students by providing physical activities and nutrition information in order to prevent obesity.

• Middle School Volunteers: Middle School students are qualified 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who enjoy helping their peers learn. After homework and tutoring, volunteers participate in ongoing enrichment activities.
• Life Skill Program: Students learn Life Skills such as Respect, Responsibility, Cooperation, Problem Solving and learn how to integrate these skills into their lives. They go through lessons once a week; which we hope the students practice through out their life.
• Can Drive: Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive hosted by the CARES students and staff, raised over 900 cans that were distributed to the Cambridge Community Crisis Center.
• Talent Show: 5th graders plan, coordinate and host an annual Talent Show highlighting their performing skills in dance and vocals. All parents and teachers welcomed.

Who We Serve

Number of Students served: 215
Male: 53.9%
Female: 46.1%
Free & Reduced Lunch: 92%
English Learner: 82%
Special Education: 20%

Demographics
Chinese: 1.6%
Latino: 83.3%
African American: 4.7%
Asian Pacific Islander: 3.7%
Other White: 3%
Other Non-White: 1.7%

How We Serve
Staff to student ratio: 1:20
Number of credentialed staff: 1-8
Number of volunteers:4
Number of CARES staff: 16
Number of subcontractors: 7
Number of community partners: 4

Community Partners

• City of Concord
• MDUSD
• Concord Police Department
• St. Mary's College REACH Program
• Wells Fargo
• CCC Sheriff's Department
• First Tee
• YMCA