Bridges at Gilman

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About Bridges

In 1993, Bridges was founded at St. Paul’s School with the goal of making summer into a time of growth, rather than a time of regression for motivated, but underserved East Baltimore students. It started as a two-summer academic and cultural enrichment program for eighteen fourth and fifth grade students attending Coldstream Park Elementary, a Title I School in East Baltimore.

Over the last 18 years, Bridges has evolved and expanded its program offering in an effort to ensure that the motivated young people that enter Bridges have the support and guidance necessary to become the young leaders our society needs.

Bridges at Gilman

Gilman opened its own site in 2014 and currently serves 36 public school students in grades 4-6. In addition to hosting a five-week summer institute, Gilman provides a year-round after-school program for fourth and fifth grade students from Yorkwood Elementary, Leith Walk Elementary, Govans Elementary, and Cecil Elementary Schools. Sixth graders participate in monthly Weekend Learning Adventures throughout the school year.

Summer Institute 2018

Student dissects a cow heart.
Student pets a goat.
Bridges student visits with a goat.
Bridges students group photo on a field trip.
Bridges students with Naval Academy personnel.
Bridges student communicates with a penguin at the aquarium.
Bridges students at the penguin tank at the aquarium.
A Bridges student lays on the bed of nails at the Maryland Science Center.
Bridges group stands under dinosaur models at the Maryland Science Center.
Bridges students dig for dinosaur bones.
Students find fossils at the Maryland Science Center.
Bridges student explores an interactive exhibit.
Bridges students deliver a weather forecast.
Bridges students in front of WBAL TV 11 sign.
Bridges students goof off.
Bridges students pose in front of the Made In America exhibit sign.
Bridges student assembles a model oyster can.
Bridges students on tour in Annapolis.
A student shows his lost tooth!
A student waits for a lecture to begin.
Students swim in the Gilman pool.
A teacher and student play chess.
Five students and their adult leader pose for a group shot.
Students pose near the home team dugout at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Bridges students sit in the home dugout at Orioles Park.
A boy smilies in front of the jelly fish tank.
A boy climbs a rock wall.
Group pose on a field trip.
A girl smiles on a field trip.
A student enjoys a flamingo swim float.
Student pets a turtle.
Student (not so happily) meets a snake.
Group photo at Gilman, on the terrace overlooking the fields.

Programs

Summer Institute

Every Bridges student participates in the five-week Summer Institute on the Gilman campus, an intensive academic and social enrichment program that emphasizes study skills, athletic participation, and character development. Master teachers from local private and public schools conduct challenging classes in reading, writing, math, and art, and weekly field trips to local landmarks broaden students' awareness of the city and region. Upper School students from Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Roland Park Country Schools serve as Bridges volunteers by providing classroom support for Summer Institute teachers and valuable assistance for our Head Counselors. Over the past two summers, 32 independent school students have invested a total of over 3,000 volunteer hours. The relationships built between Bridges students and high school volunteers form the social backbone of the program.

Scenes from Summer Institute

Fourth and Fifth Grade After-School Program

From September through April, each of the Bridges elementary school students participates in an after-school program on one day per week. Sessions held on the Gilman campus are led by a master teacher and matches each Bridges student with a high school volunteer. The after-school program features read-aloud sessions, playground games, and one-on-one homework support.

Weekend Learning Adventures

The Bridges sixth graders take part in a series of monthly weekend activities designed to provide students with new and challenging experiences that expand their field of vision. Adult mentors and high school volunteers lead these activities that help students develop new skills and develop self-confidence. This year's activities include camping trips, science and nature study, a theater workshop, ice skating, college campus tours, rock climbing, and inspirational guest speakers.

Middle School Guidance

Bridges provides every family of fifth grade students with information and advice they need to make the best choice for their child's middle school placement. We help families identify their student's learning style and encourage them to focus on what sort of school environment best suits their child. Our first group of sixth graders are enrolled in six different area middle schools: Gilman School, Roland Park Middle School (Ingenuity), Mother Seton Academy, Mount Royal Middle School (Advanced Academics), Tunbridge Public Charter, and Immaculate Conception School.
 
Contact
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Bridges at Gilman staff.

Ned Harris

Director, Bridges at Gilman

David Menard

Elementary School Director of Bridges at Gilman

    News

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    Serves 36 Baltimore City Public School Students

     

    15

    Gilman Upper School Students give


    1,500

    volunteer hours at the Summer Institute