With an initial grant of $1000 from Bloomfield Educational Foundation Board Member, Howard Friedman, the 2006 Senior class at Bloomfield High School had a unique opportunity to become trained in the life saving technique known as CPR.  These classes were conducted with the help of the Bloomfield Fire Department personnel and Steve Jenkins, Bloomfield High School's Athletic Director.  The goal of the program is two-fold -- to introduce high school seniors to the aspect of public service, as they work side by side with the Bloomfield Fire Department personnel, while teaching a valuable life-saving skill.  In its first year, over 400 seniors completed this training and became certified in CPR, and we anticipate the same number will be trained during the 2006-2007 school year!

Middle School Program “Soaring to Success” Is In Its Third Year
Thanks to the Bloomfield Educational Foundation

Designed for those students who have achieved average grades and have the potential to be exceptional students, the Soaring to Success students worked on their personal plan for academic excellence with their language arts and/or mathematics teachers, beginning in October, 2008.  This program is the newest initiative for funding by the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, and will run through May, 2009.  While academics is certainly an important part of the program, team-building was also identified as an integral part of the students’ success in school.  Day two saw the students playing intramural basketball or participating in other sports and games in an open gym, supervised by professional physical education teachers.  Students progress will be continually monitored and those who achieve their goals will be treated to an after school celebration.

During the last two years, over 70 middle school students participated in the pilot Soaring to Success Program.  The Soaring to Success Coordinator and Middle School Principal were delighted to report positive results.  On a scale of 1 to 10, 91% of those students ranked the programs as a 7 or higher in helping them achieve academic excellence.  All students’ math and English grades rose between one half and one whole letter grade for the last two marking periods.  All students reported they loved working in small study groups, with teachers that they did not have in class each day.  The intramural and team building games that were held in the gym were also fan favorites!

The Bloomfield Educational Foundation Board is awaiting similar good news from this Middle School program at its culmination in May, 2009.