Enriching Young Minds: Fuse Project's Spring Semester Clubs at Florence Howard Elementary
At Fuse Project, we believe in investing in the world's most valuable resource: children. This spring semester, as part of our ABC Program’s Academic Support Program, we once again partnered up with The Cookery Project and Round But Square Studios to bring monthly clubs to the students of Florence Howard Elementary School. Guided by the passionate efforts of Lisa Howard from Round But Square and Karrie Nelson from The Cookery Project, these clubs were not just educational but also incredibly fun and engaging for the kids. Thanks to grants from Fuse Project and Order of Fuse, we have been able to fund these enriching activities for two years now.
January Clubs: Sweet Treats and Artistic Beginnings
January Cooking Club kicked off with the kids creating delicious banana pudding, a treat that taught them about patterns and sequencing (cookie, pudding, cookie, pudding). The students were introduced to new culinary terms like “garnish” and had a delightful time enjoying their creations. Volunteers Pastor Powell and Mrs. Richardson added to the fun and learning experience.
The Art Club theme was progression, moving from drawing hands to focusing on eyes. The children learned about vision boards, page spacing, and various techniques like watercolor, pencil, markers, and collaging. Lisa Howard emphasized the importance of investing in children, writing encouraging notes in each student’s book. Volunteers Courtney, Ann, and Mikasa provided support and encouragement, making the day a favorite for everyone.
February Clubs: Nutritious Dips and Artistic Catch-Up
Cooking Club students prepared Spinach Artichoke Dip, exploring the traffic light system of nutrition (Green for spinach and artichokes, Yellow for cheese and cream cheese). They learned about food textures and flavors, even getting a glimpse of a whole artichoke. The session was a 10/10 fun experience with lots of laughter and learning.
This month’s Art Club was a catch-up day, allowing students to finish past projects or enjoy some free drawing time. It was a relaxed session where creativity flowed freely, and everyone had a chance to refine their artistic skills.
March Clubs: Balanced Snacks and Emotional Art
March’s Cooking Club session featured Easter Pitas with honey pecan cream cheese, broccoli, and carrots, teaching the students about balanced nutrition and safe food preparation techniques. The Cookery Project did an excellent job in making nutrition education fun and practical.
The "Art from the Heart" lesson had students use a color wheel to express different emotions. They chose six emotions and designed hearts with corresponding colors, learning how art can reflect personal feelings. This exercise was part of a series focused on individual expression through art.
May Clubs: Healthy Snacks and Emoji Emotions
The final Cooking Club of the semester featured fruit kabobs, a creative way to discuss red light foods. The children learned that red light foods don’t always mean "don’t eat," but rather "stop and think of a better alternative." They used Rice Krispy treats instead of pound cake to make a healthier choice for this recipe.
In this final Art Club lesson of the semester, we explored the impact of colors and emojis on emotions. Students picked emojis that represented their recent feelings and colored them based on emotional associations. This simple yet powerful exercise helped students express and understand their emotions better.
The month of May also included our Clubs Showcase, an opportunity for parents/guardians to see what their children have been doing in clubs, hear from Principal Flowers directly, and interface with Karrie and Lisa. To read more about the Showcase, click here.
The Impact of Clubs
This spring semester, the clubs at Florence Howard Elementary, made possible through our collaboration with The Cookery Project and Round But Square Studios, have been a resounding success. Principal Regina Flowers reflects on the significance of clubs, “Not only has having these clubs been a great opportunity for our students to engage in activities that we don’t normally have on a regular school day, but it’s also opened up the eyes of my teachers and the value of the arts and different experiences outside of just reading, math, and the regular curriculum. We want to nurture the whole student, and Fuse has helped make that possible.”
Lisa Howard from Round But Square Studios and Karrie Nelson from The Cookery Project share their insights on the program’s impact. Lisa notes, “Art is a universal language to express yourself, and we love that these precious children and students have the opportunity for art through Fuse.” Karrie emphasizes, “The support for the Fuse Project is so important for this area for us to grow and expand and make an impact.”
We are grateful for the dedication of Lisa Howard and Karrie Nelson, as well as the support from the teachers at FHES and our volunteers. Together, we are making a significant impact on the lives of these children, nurturing their creativity, and fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the traditional classroom.
You can help us provide many more semesters of growth, joy, and discovery by clicking here to donate.