When one walks through the doors of Donaldsonville High School in the morning, one will hear chants and songs of praise by kids who are in the Freedom School Summer Program.
"We try and burn up all of their energy after breakfast, the music is to get them up and moving every morning," says African American Museum Director Kathe Hambrick-Jackson.
She mentions that this program is a part of the Children's Defense program funded by the Louisiana Department of Social Services. Jackson also mentioned that the state of Louisiana has the most Freedom School programs then any other state.
The program's goal is to get kids involved with reading and to increase literacy among children.
The program was open to all grade levels.
"We don't teach the children how to read, but we teach them to love to read," says Jackson.
Each class is divided into levels, depending on ages. In one class, children were reading, "Grandpa has changed," a book about Alzheimer's. The class shared stories on what the disease is and interacted with the book.
In the high school level class, children were reading "A Raisin in the Sun." Children recited the play and interacted with a group discussion about the book. They also did an activity in relation to the play.
"The class has to share what they read, and show they actually get something out of these books," said Michael Nelson, the 9th-12th grade advisor.
Throughout the summer, children will be spending their time from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily reading various books. The books are picked as a part of the curriculum of a whole, so not only are children in Donaldsonville excelling in reading these books, but several hundred other in different cities too.
"I like this program because they never give up on us and we see the importance of reading and the advisors and interns are like family, they want us to be successful," says Tre' Skidmore a participant in the program.
Another student Ravean Bell said, "they teach us discipline and how to respect others."
The program will run until July 30. Students will go on three field trips throughout the course of the program. Each week a student is allowed to bring a book home to expand their home collection of books. The program has a total of six interns and a Mental Health Specialist.
"We just want our kids to be successful and increase their literacy skills," added Jackson.
