Elev8 Cooks Up More Learning When School’s Out

By Maureen Kelleher/LISC Chicago

When the last bell rings to end the school day at Perspectives Calumet Middle School, the learning doesn’t stop. It just gets more fun.

Through Elev8, students can stay after school and enjoy extended-day programs that help them learn about subjects they might not be exposed to in the regular classroom, like theater or mosaic-making, or learn the same subjects, like math and science, but in different and more interesting ways.

Nine young women from Perspectives had a chance to talk with Gladys Nash, a registered nurse and case manager of high-risk obstetrics for the University of Chicago Hospitals. Copyright Project Exploration, all rights reserved

Research shows high-quality after-school programs like those Elev8 provides can help students succeed in the classroom. Closer to home, Perspectives program manager Monique Turner has been checking to see whether the students who have been recognized monthly for academic achievement are involved in after-school activities, and she’s found that most are involved.

Some of Elev8’s after-school offerings bring classroom subjects to life. For example, Sisters4Science gives girls the chance to meet women in science-oriented careers. On one Tuesday in November, nine young women from Perspectives sat down and talked with Gladys Nash, a registered nurse and case manager of high-risk obstetrics for the University of Chicago Hospitals.

To kick off the discussion, the girls introduced themselves and talked about experiences they had had at the doctor or in the hospital. “When I was a baby, I had to go to the hospital,” said Kaylor Oscar, who wants to become a forensic scientist. “They made sure my breathing was right and my heart rate was up.”

“When I was sick I went to the hospital and the nurse gave me some medicine and I felt better. … From that day on I trusted the nurse. I was scared before. Now I’m not scared when I go to the hospital,” said Desiree Washington.

“Just listening to you guys made me even more proud to be a nurse,” Nash told them. “A nurse is a scientist. She has to work with a team. They gather their information, develop a hypothesis and try to work it through.” Nash explained that the vital signs a nurse takes, plus health history, help the team develop a treatment plan.

From there, the girls asked plenty of questions about what it takes to become a nurse and discussed the difference between a pediatric and an obstetric nurse. “Have you ever been in a situation where a baby died or almost died?” Destiny asked.

“That’s part of the job,” Nash said, then explained the term perinatal loss, which covers late-term miscarriages and the death of a baby less than one month old. “One of the more common reasons we see perinatal loss is babies are born too early. Some women’s bodies can’t hold the baby that long. It’s a very sad thing.” Nash then talked about the importance of prenatal care in preventing perinatal loss. “You all ask excellent questions,” she told the group.

After their conversation, the girls got some hands-on practice taking vital signs with stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. Nash was the sixth science professional Perspectives Sisters4Science group has met with since the school year started.

Smorgasbord of Offerings

Other Elev8 extended-day programs teach students about subjects not usually covered in class, then connect them to academic subjects like math and reading. In the cafeteria kitchen, 10 Perspectives students were working with two chefs to make chocolate peanut butter cookies.

“This is the first day we’ve made any sweets,” said Sharee Williams, one of the chefs. “We’ve been teaching them a little knife skills. They’ve learned how to slice and dice, and julienne a little.”

By mid-November students had prepared smothered potatoes, chili, macaroni and cheese, and beef stew, among other dishes. In September the group planted Swiss chard, lettuce and other vegetables and were planning to pick and prepare them shortly before Thanksgiving.

Chef Williams finds ways to connect the kitchen back to the classroom. “I gave them a little quiz” to check their knowledge of cooking vocabulary and measurements, she said. “They were very good. I was impressed."

Students said they enjoy learning while cooking. “I wanted to learn how to cook. When I grow up I can start my own business,” said eighth-grader Jamel McGowan.

“I learned some new materials in the kitchen, like a stock pot, sheet pans and hotel pans,” said seventh-grader Dominique Gardner, who also wants to make a career out of cooking.

She’s even taken her new skills home to her appreciative family. “I tried to cook the chili. My family really likes chili,” and hers turned out well, she said.