New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on April 18 the launch of ‘Summer Boost NYC,’ a new Bloomberg Philanthropies program that will support summer learning at public charter schools in New York City.

 

The program targets approximately 25,000 K-8 students who have fallen behind and face significant learning gaps that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For two years, in-person learning disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying social and health-related effects have resulted in significant learning loss, particularly for students of color from low-income families, according to DOE officials.

 

In making the announcement, Bloomberg, who is also the founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, said it was an “all hands on deck” moment. “Private sector and philanthropic groups have a duty, I think, to step in and do what they can, and our foundation is going to do our part,” the former mayor said. “Together with a group of partners, we’re committing $50 million to help charter schools create or expand summer school programs that will provide a coverage of an average of five weeks of additional instruction in math and English,” he added.

 

“Whether at a district school or a charter school, every young person should be invested in, and this $50 million investment will do just that,” said Adams. “Many of our sons and daughters had disrupted learning during the past two years because of the pandemic and deserve an opportunity to learn during the summer. This investment will give young New Yorkers in the program the chance to grow, to learn, and to explore their talents and imagination. ”

 

Adams thanked Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for creating the Summer Boost NYC program, and for continuing to “make massive investments in our children, and showing an entire nation how to make our schools work for everyone.” He added, “With their support, we are ensuring no young person is left behind.”

 

Bloomberg, also a former presidential candidate, said, “After two years of school closures and inadequate remote instruction, students across the U.S. have suffered unprecedented learning loss. The harm has fallen heaviest on the children who were already too far behind, especially low-income Black and Latino students. That could have devastating effects on their chances for graduating high school and going to college or beginning a career.”

 

The former mayor added, “All charter schools serving students in grades K through 12 are eligible to receive funding for the program, which will target students who are most in need of extra help. Schools can apply for funding starting today through the website, summerboostnyc.org.” Bloomberg said the funders joining his foundation in the effort included Ken Griffin, Stan Druckenmiller, the Carson Family Charitable Trust, Robin Hood, Gray Foundation, and the Wilentz Foundation. “I wanted to publicly thank them for their generosity, and for stepping up to help students at a pivotal moment in their lives,” he said.

 

The 108th Mayor of New York City commended Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks, saying they deserved credit for recognizing the educational crisis and taking immediate action by expanding the Summer Rising program across the City. “The private sector and philanthropic groups also have a duty to step in and do what they can to help get kids back on track,” the former mayor said. “This summer is a valuable opportunity to make up for lost ground, and we’re not going to let it slip by.”

 

For his part, Banks said it was essential that every child in New York City has a safe and supportive place to grow this summer. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for their generosity and for helping to lift up our youngest New Yorkers,” he said.

 

According to New York City Department of Education (DOE) officials, a private study from McKinsey found that the pandemic fed the ongoing educational crisis already facing many students of color from low-income families in New York City. Study participants said unless urgent action is taken, some of the students may never catch up and their future higher education, employment, and wage-earning opportunities will be severely impacted.

 

Recently, as reported, the City expanded its Summer Rising program for 2022, and now serves 110,000 students in Grades K-8, up more than 10 percent from last year. Summer Boost NYC aims to build on the City’s Summer Rising initiative by supporting students at charter schools — which 14 percent of New York City public school students attend. Summer Boost NYC aims to expand the much-needed summer school programs to more than 135,000 students.

 

Applicants should apply by May 4.