Above: Mayor Michelle Wu and Supt. Mary Skipper, left, participated in a painting workshop with local artist Ivandro Carvalho, back left, while CVAB Director Paulo DeBarros, back center, looked on. Seth Daniel photo
Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Schools Supt. Mary Skipper visited Bowdoin Street last Wednesday (July 22) to highlight a summer program at the Cape Verdean Association of Boston (CVAB) that is part of the city’s 5th Quarter of Learning effort.
While overall participation is down over last year, the quality of programs has been upgraded significantly, according to those active in administering it.
Citywide this summer, the 5th Quarter has enrolled some 16,000 to 17,000 kids citywide at just under 200 sites, which is a dip from 2023 when city officials highlighted summer programs at the Franklin Park Zoo and noted more than 20,000 youth at programs in 261 sites citywide.
Now in its fourth year, the CVAB program offers arts, classroom learning, leadership training, and field trips for 30 to 40 young people. It is run with assistance from the non-profit Boston After School and Beyond and BPS.
Paulo DeBarros, the CVAB director, said the program has been a great success. Along with those gathered for last week’s visit, he also thanked state Sen. Nick Collins, state Rep. Chris Worrell, and Councillors Brian Worrell and John FitzGerald, the Boston Police, and the Bowdoin-Geneva Task Force for supporting summer programs like this one.
CVAB Director Paulo DeBarros said many partners have come together on Bowdoin Street to make it safe and fertile ground for their popular summer program. Seth Daniel photo
“Cape Verdeans have been in Boston for many years,” he said. “We are here and continuously show that those of us from a small island nation can do great things. That’s what we teach our kids here each summer, and we are also happy about the new dual language program for Cape Verdean Kriolu starting at the Lila Frederick, which also helps with cultural and language preservation.”
Martin Barbosa Vicente, one of the teen participants, described the program as “a very pleasant experience. It’s a good opportunity right here in the community and even though it’s summer, we are able to learn more about computers and go on field trips every week.”
There was no reason ventured for the drop in participation, but BPS enrollments have also declined during that same period of time by several thousand students. Supt. Skipper said the quality of the programming remains high.
Local artist Ivandro Carvalho instructed Patrick Fernandes on how to structure his painting during the CVAB summer program. Seth Daniel photo
“This is really about continuation of learning and we’re very fortunate to partner with Boston After School and Beyond for really good opportunities,” she said. “When they go back to school on Sept. 9 and 10 they will go back stronger students. They will have learned new skills and made new friends…The quality and experience for students gets better each year.”
The mayor noted the diversity of experiences and work sites teaching skills only available outside of the classroom.
“In Boston, we’re turning summer break into an opportunity to keep students engaged, connected to their communities, and having fun through activities like sailing, arts, and STEM,” she said. “The 5th Quarter program brings affordable learning opportunities into every neighborhood, helping students build life skills and return to school more ready to learn. Thank you to all our partners for providing quality programming for all our kids this summer.”
Caught Red Handed: Kayla Dos Fonseca prepared to put her hand imprint into a painting that features the hands of several other summer program participants. Seth Daniel photo
Added Worrell, “I am a product of a summer learning program…and I was just on the phone with the leader of that program who I still consider a mentor. These students working with Paulo DeBarros and his team are getting mentorship, too…They are building lasting relationships and building skills, but they are also getting lifelong mentors…We need places like this, places where young people can go.”
Boston Beyond bases its programming on a study that shows kids who participate in a high-quality summer program are more likely to find success at school the next year.
A full report on this summer’s programming will be out in October.
Taissa De Veiga participated in an arts workshop last Wednesday. Seth Daniel photos
