Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities
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City of Springfield
The City Thinks 2009: Education, Poverty and Hope for the City October / November 2009 |
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About City Thinks | Canada Lecture | Sponsors
City Thinks Programs at the Springfield City Library
Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America, by Paul Tough, is the 2009 City Thinks program focus. In conjunction with the Springfield Public Forum, the Springfield City Library system will host a variety of thought-provoking programs and creative activities for adults and children. All events are free. Paul Tough, author and New York Times reporter, will deliver the opening lecture on Thursday, October 15th at American International College. Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, will speak at Springfield Symphony Hall on November 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Book Discussions
Whatever It Takes will be discussed at the following Springfield City Library book groups:
- On Monday, November 9 at 7 p.m., a special City Thinks wrap up discussion: Where Do We Go From Here? will be held in the Central Library Community Room, 220 State Street, Springfield.
- Click here for a printable flyer.
Teatro V!da Open Studio
Teatro V!da Open Studio: Yes, You Are Creative! Thursday, October 29, at 6 p.m. at the Brightwood Branch Library, 359 Plainfield Street. Readings and participatory workshop events with Teatro V!da ensemble members. For teens and adults, with no experience necessary! To sign up call Linda at 263-6840, or sign up online. Click here for a printable flyer.
Poetry Workshops
Saturday Morning Poetry Workshops, hosted by Maria Luisa Arroyo. Write new pieces and receive feedback on your existing work. For more information call 263-6828, x213. Sessions are from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on October 31 and November 7, in the Central Library Community Room. Click here for a printable flyer.
Drop-In Crafts for Children
Art in Our World: Springfield Through a Child's Eyes! Drop-in craft for children at most library locations throughout the month of October. Children of all ages are invited to add a section to a mini-mural that will be displayed at Symphony Hall on the night of Geoffrey Canada's talk. Click here for a printable flyer!
Use beautiful colors to add your vision to our mini-mural!
Central Library: Wednesdays in October, 4-7 p.m., 220 State Street
East Forest Park Branch: Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 122 Island Pond Road
East Springfield Branch: Fridays in October, 2-4 p.m., 21 Osborne Terrace
Indian Orchard Branch: Wednesdays in October, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 44 Oak Street
Liberty Branch: Tuesdays in October, 3-4:30 p.m., 773 Liberty Street
Mason Square Branch: Thursdays in October, 3:30-7 p.m., 765 State Street
Pine Point Branch: Fridays in October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 204 Boston Road
Sixteen Acres Branch: Saturdays in October, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.. 1187 Parker Street
The Springfield Public Forum, in collaboration with the Springfield City Library, presents this third annual City Thinks program with funding from the American International College Honors Program, the MacDuffie School and Mass Humanities.
The 2009 City Thinks, a collaboration of the Springfield Public Forum and the Springfield City Library, will analyze urban education and poverty amelioration through book- and film-discussion groups, panels, a student essay contest and other cultural and educational programming. The City Thinks will culminate in the lecture with Harlem Children's Zone CEO and President, Geoffrey Canada on November 4, 2009.
The book which will serve as the backbone for City Thinks programming is Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America ; the documentary we will screen is Hard Times at Douglass High: A No Child Left Behind Report Card. Discussion groups and other programming will be scheduled at City Libraries, schools and community centers.
Please visit the Springfield Forum website for a full preview of the Fall 2009 Forum lectures.
Click here to find a copy of Whatever It Takes at a library near you.
Visit the website of author Paul Tough.
For more information about the 2009 City Thinks program, please contact Linda at lgrodofsky@springfieldlibrary.org or call 263-6840.
Public Forum Lecture by Geoffrey Canada, Innovative Head of the Harlem Children's Zone
November 4, 2009 - Springfield Symphony Hall
Free and open to the public; no reservations required
Revolutionary educator Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, has had quantifiable success in helping the most impoverished, at-risk youth beat the odds through a comprehensive approach to education and poverty eradication. His "conveyor belt" approach to education which starts with "Baby College" parenting classes for expectant mothers and fathers and continues with educational, medical and social services through all levels of school, pre-K through college as well as for the greater community. The philosophy is that if you "fix" the schools but not the community, the children will fail but they will also fail if you "fix" the community but not the schools. It all must be improved..
Described by New York Times reporter Paul Tough as one of the "greatest social experiments of our time," the Harlem's Children Zone now serves a 94-block area of Harlem with "a 'safety net' woven so tightly that no child can fall through." And, the Children's Zone is achieving results: the Wall Street Journal reports that 3rd graders and 8th graders in Children's Zone schools are scoring at or above grade level and outperforming their peers throughout New York State. Recognized by the new Obama administration as a potential model to solve educational and poverty issues throughout the nation, the Children's Zone offers strategies and solutions for regions challenged by poverty and under-performing schools.
Radically ambitious and effective, Canada, who grew up in the Bronx, is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Harvard University. His innovative work has won many accolades including the Heinz Award, the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education and recognition as one of "America's Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report.
Thank you to the 2009 City Thinks sponsors!
American International College Honors Program
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