Straight to the Top!

Brookstone's 2012 Summer Learning & Enrichment Camp

 

Over the years, God has led us to see the creative ways we can witness to the world through the doorway He has provided for us at Brookstone.  We believe God has a tender regard for marginalized children and their families. As Jesus commands, “Let the little children come unto me…” (Matthew 19:14). The path of duty is plain for us.



In June 2011 we launched our first summer camp and mobilized church teams to make it happen. It was a great success, thanks to God’s sustaining grace, hard work, and the collective action of many faithful volunteers.

The Counselors and Staff

This summer we doubled the number of children (daily attendance - 70 campers) which included Brookstone students and children from the Reid Park neighborhood around the school.  Straight to the Top provided Christian teaching, reading instruction, field trips, and enrichment in the arts and athletics.

Straight to the Top boosted reading skills; provided underprivileged children with enrichment through the arts, athletics, and Christian teaching; provided educational field trips (e.g. Reedy Creek Nature Center, NC Transportation Museum, Schiele Museum); and built social skills through strong adult-child relationships.

    Thanks to the help of so many, we were able to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of each child in our camp this summer. Our special thanks goes out to our volunteers and donors...

Mebane Charitable Foundation

C. Ray & Cynthia M. Kennedy Foundation

Anonymous

Roy & Susan Goode

Jill Dahan

Rose Chauffeured Transportation Ltd.

Christmas Village Toy Store

Robert Haggart

Jonathan Bacon

Matthews Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Reformed Theological Seminary

Davidson United Methodist Church

CROSS Ministries-Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Southlake Presbyterian Church

Seek the City-Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church

In Kind Gifts

Bob Lee

Ann Tarwater

Vesta Gray

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Carrie Luke Photography

St. Patrick's Student Holds Raffle For Brookstone

Continuing their strong friendship, students from St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Brookstone were set to attend Junior Achievement’s BizTown in Charlotte this May. However, before the trip, we were not sure we would be able to transport all of our excited students to BizTown. When St. Patrick’s students were told the news, fourth grade student, Brian Stieglitz, was particularly concerned. To solve the problem, Brian decided to hold a neighborhood raffle to raise money for Brookstone.

Brian’s raffle involved a homemade poster hanging from his neck, a finely decorated collection box, a pad and paper to record ticket sales, and determined travels door-to-door throughout his neighborhood. Brian raised a total of $50 dollars and after subtracting his grand prize of $15, Brian was able to donate a total of $35 to Brookstone.

In order to make sure the donation was delivered to us safe and sound, Brian brought the money over personally. Upon his arrival, news of Brian’s story was buzzing around the halls of Brookstone. Students patiently waited, and soon in walked the bright-eyed, eager, young man, ready to present his donation. While Brian can rest assured that the money will be put to good use, he says he wants the money to go towards “anything the school needs.” When reflecting on his overall experience, Brian says he was “just happy to help.” Brian also adds, “I learned that I can help too, and that if you have a good cause and work hard, people will help.”

We are extremely impressed with Brian’s efforts and selfless, giving heart; both Brian’s family and Brookstone plan to continue a strong and positive relationship in the upcoming years.

Brookstone Student Rises Above Adversity

While literacy has always been a priority and concern for the nation, recently, much attention has been paid to making children repeat a school year to ensure they are proficient in reading. At Brookstone, we address literacy issues when they surface, sometimes as early as kindergarten or first grade. We believe that students held back earlier rather than later, are able to ‘bounce back’ quicker than those held back in later grades.



Jeremiah with his lunch buddy, Stephen Neill

Jeremiah is a perfect example of the wisdom of early intervention. A current Brookstone second-grader, two years ago Jeremiah was in first grade, but severely struggling with math, reading, and writing, and subsequently acting out in class. According to his first grade teacher, Elisabeth Alvarado, “It was apparent Jeremiah was becoming very demoralized and discouraged.” As the year reached its close, his teachers and parents decided that repeating first grade would be the most beneficial for Jeremiah’s success.

Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, Alvarado was elated to report that it was as if Jeremiah “was a different child. He has been able to be the leader in this class instead of the one who is always struggling.” When speaking of Jeremiah’s attitude, Alvarado states, “It's evident that Jeremiah’s much happier and that’s a huge part of his confidence and success.” Unlike the previous year, this time around Jeremiah has many friends and has an overall happy and excited demeanor.

We work tirelessly to ensure the success of all our students, personally meeting their needs, so that every one will reach their God-given potential.