Peninsula Bridge

The last week of Peninsula Bridge summer program is, not surprisingly, bittersweet. Everyone is in the "groove" of their routine, comfortable with one another, and excited for the upcoming activities that will cap -- if not define -- our experience here. Indeed the program is ending after what seems like only a short while. But this week gives the teachers and the TAs a huge opportunity to make yet another lasting imprint on these children's minds, hopefully making them want to return year after year.  

The last week of Bridge at the Priory Site simply flew by.  Beginning with exams, and ending with a field trip up to San Francisco, the "Bridge Familia" was never at rest.  The students finished with flying colors.  They showed significant improvement, especially in math, which is an area with which many of them struggled before coming into the program.  Field day was a blast.  The water slide was a favorite, and the students seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of the various stations we had set up for them including Palm Reading, Can Knocker, Twister, and even a Cake Walk.  Meanwhile, I spent the day prepping the Performing Arts Building for Graduation, which was to happen that evening.

Even as we come into the home stretch of the Bridge program, I find myself still reveling in the many quirks of the kids. Every morning I hear some of the sixth graders playing Marco Polo in the room across the hall and clanks, from the metal puzzles Mr. Gummerson keeps at hand, as some of the other children try their luck at figuring the puzzles out.

As the end of Bridge draws near, there is much to be done here at the Priory site. On a daily basis you will find the teachers, students, and volunteers bustling around in an effort to prepare for the culminating events that take place next week.  In addition to graduation and the surprise field trip on Friday, I'm collaborating with one of our teachers, Sean S, to put together an art show that will take place next week.  This will give students the chance to show off their impressive work in Photography and Art & Leadership.

This week has been loads of fun, but Bridge is passing by too quickly! We TAs have noted we wish time would slow down a little bit!

Thursday we paid a visit to the Asian Art Museum, which was incredible. Kids were fascinated by the stone Buddhas and the intricately decorated dishes in the museum. The majority of the students declared that the Samurai section of the museum was the best part, as well as the exhibit where students could wear Samurai armor or a kimono. One student  offered facetiously  that her favorite part was the glass elevator which looked over a large portion of the museum.

On the brisk summer evening of July 9th, families gathered eagerly in the Father Egon Plaza. You could sense the anticipation and excitement on behalf of the parents as well as their children.  In between helpings of Brie, fruit, and Priory's homemade cookies, parents congregated with the Bridge Familia here at the Priory. Back to Bridge Night '09 was certainly an event to remember.

As we wrap up our third week here at St. Matthew's, I've found that I've established so many friendships here. While it has been both a challenge and a delight to teach and play with the students, I always find it quite rewarding. I suppose the other TAs and I did not quite realize the impact of the students on us--and vice versa. We have shared many laughs and growing moments thus far.

My name is Evelyn and I am in my third summer of TAing at the Sacred Heart Bridge Program. When I arrive first thing in the morning, I'm so sleepy from working my second job the night before that it's almost impossible to stay awake. Once I see a few kids stream their way to the courtyard I wake immediately.

We're already into the third week of Bridge and time has flown by. I've already made memories that will last a lifetime and hopefully friendships, too, judging by the great connections I've formed with my advisory of girls, my fellow T.A.s and the site directors. Every morning, advisories sit together and eat breakfast. We talk about everything from light topics like weekend plans and embarrassing stories to heavier subject matter with topics like bullying, verbal self-defense, and what it means to be a part of a team.  I love how my girls have told me that because of advisory, they can trust me and tell me everything. They have told me that I listen to them with all of my
heart.