About

To achieve this, we take our students on regular field trips to local landmarks, museums, and other educational institutions, providing hands-on learning experiences. Our mentors are trained to identify areas where students may need extra support and work closely with them to address any challenges they may be facing. By providing attention and guidance, we help our students build confidence and develop a love for learning that will stay with them throughout their lives. Through our mentorship program, we aim to empower our students to reach their full potential and become active participants in their own educational journey.

History

As a result of COVID, many of our students were struggling to access basic needs, failing classes, and disengaging from school -- particularly at the middle and high school level. So as a program, we decided to tackle that issue by assigning mentors to students in order to help them with their academic and personal journeys.

Within COVID, the concept of learning pods presented us with an opportunity to re-engage students while directly engaging community members in developing and leading the effort. We believed that a community-led learning pod model will re-engage students lost during and after the COVID crisis.

Student re-engagement is at the core of our learning pod model. The goal is not just continuity of learning, as many targeted students were not being well served pre-pandemic. Consequently, a deep understanding of student and family perspectives is critical.

Purpose & Goals

The purpose of the Central Falls Learning Pods Program is to provide students, disengaged, self-identified, Multilingual Learners, and/or Displaced students (grades 7-11) in the district, the opportunity to engage in a rigorous and highly personalized alternative learning experience. The lesson plans will engage and retain students to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and civically, ultimately sparking their passions through real world experiences. Each cohort of students will be led by a Pod Leader, from academics through the service-learning process, resulting in a final project.

The goals of the CFHS Learning Pods are to: (1) build trust and a sense of belonging; (2) develop academic mindsets and students’ twenty-first century skills (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Leadership); (3) help and encourage students to increase their attendance and level of engagement, approach proficiency in both literacy and numeracy skills, and explore their own interests, while completing service learning projects that connect to their community; and (4) foster the acquisition of work-based learning skills and competencies.