Over nearly twenty years, our congregation has provided people and resources to help a struggling inner city school. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers the Beardsley School children have had a richer and more meaningful education and their teachers have had dependable help and support.
Our Ongoing Yearly Commitment
Tutors
Each week, our wonderful tutors meet one-on-one with children to help with reading and math skills. Their consistent presence has helped the school raise its math scores this year.
Readers
Readers visit classrooms weekly or monthly to share delightful books and engage the children in thought provoking conversations.
Library help
Four volunteers check-in, shelve, catalog, and process books. They also help with book sales and sort through donated books to add to the library collection or give to children at the end of the year.
Read Aloud Days
Twice yearly, enthusiastic volunteers read to every classroom and give a book to each class.
Reading and Singing
In kindergarten, we combine reading with singing, often using songs themed to the books that are read.
Winter Clothing
Shawl Ministry members knit colorful scarves and hats for grateful kindergarteners each fall. This year, an excited young boy announced, “I’ve never had a scarf before!” We also donate winter coats and gloves whenever asked.
Enrichment
Career Days
Our third annual Career Day brought members of the Bridgeport Fire Department to meet with third and fifth graders who wanted to know, “Have you ever rescued a cat from a tree?” (Answer: “From a roof.”).
Career Days
Ramon Peralta, a creative director who started a very successful business in brand strategy, met with sixth graders and encouraged them to create their own brand. “Your brand doesn’t have to be that you’re a brilliant mathematician or a great musician. Your brand could be that you’re kind or thoughtful.”
Knitting Club
A newly formed Knitting Club meets after school where a few of our Shawl Ministry members patiently teach children how to knit.
Author Visits
Victoria Jamieson, illustrator of the graphic memoir, When the Stars are Scattered, explains her process. Through local contacts, we arrange for authors to visit school and many of them also donate a copy of their book for each student.
Field Trips
Fifth graders visiting Pequot Library’s Colonial Children’s Books exhibit. We help arrange field trips and fund the buses when asked.
Support
Support
New principal, Tiffany Ladson-Lang, wanted to start the year with a family BBQ and asked for our help. We donated funds to defray the cost for some food
…and Bob Perry even provided juggling lessons!
Supplies
Quietly and consistently our congregants donate well-needed classroom supplies through the Beardsley Board in our lobby or through our Amazon Gift list. Generous donors buy items teachers have requested which a committee member delivers to school.
Holiday Gift Cards
Again through the generosity of our congregants and others, we donate holiday gift cards for struggling families so they can provide gifts for their children.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Ever mindful of those who work daily with the children, we give a small gift of thanks to each of the dedicated faculty and staff during national Teachers Appreciation Week
Oversight
The Beardsley Committee
From the earliest days of the TUUCW’s adoption of the school, a Beardsley Committee has overseen the people and programs that make our ongoing commitment so successful and vibrant. Members meet monthly with principal Ladson-Lang, assessing any upcoming needs and planning for the weeks ahead and then meet separately to follow up and take action. A UU committee member also sits on the School Governance Council as a Community Partner. Beardsley Committee members are Anita Pfluger and Kathy Roberts, co-chairs, Sari Brodi, Beth Cliff, Lynne Laukhuf, and Diane Moller,