[imagefield_assist|fid=15081|preset=fullsize|lightbox=true|title=Annette Harris Officer Elementary School in East Saint Louis will be launching a chess program for almost 200 students through the Chess Club.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=700|height=525]
By Alex Vergilesov
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is taking chess to Illinois in a big way. One of the last Spring programs this year has begun at Annette Harris Officer Elementary School, in the East Saint Louis School District.
School principal and CCSCSL member Theodore Fumbrun trusts in the mission of the chess club so much that he is replacing 30 minutes of math class with chess. Classes begin after lunch for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade. Two of the CCSCSL chess instructors, Michael Austin and Nathan Cabot, are leading three classes each at the school. I couldn’t help but to take part in the programming, coordinating the onsite classes and teaching two additional groups.
With a total of eight groups, nearly 200 students, and lots of kids having fun learning math skills through chess, we are creating a real chess culture in a school district that is en route to reconstruction. Chess has been a subject of research when it is introduced during school. While we all hope to see the students succeed and achieve higher math skills, chess can also positively contribute to general problem solving skills, language skills, forward thinking and critical thinking. Principal Fumbrun agrees that the objective of introducing chess to the students is to raise standardized test scores. Teachers at the school are also required to moderate the classes and learn alongside their students. In order to facilitate a sustainable program, the CCSCSL holds in-class professional development and donates all the necessary equipment for the school to take over once our programming is complete.
The CCSCSL is wrapping up our Spring 2012 programming with successful results all across the greater Saint Louis area.
We thank our partners from the Pattonville School District Community Education Program. This Spring semester we worked with Rose Acres, Willow Brook, Briarcrest, Parkwood, and Bridgeway elementary schools in the district serving 185 students. Thanks to the Community Education Department at Pattonville, we were able to expand our programming to reach more students in the district.
Kirkwood school district is looking forward to its annual district chess tournament on May 3. This spring we worked with the gifted program in the district to brush up the skills of 70 students in all five elementary schools. Thanks to the dedication of the gifted program, we were able to conduct advanced chess courses. In fact some of the students’ skills rose so high, that the CCSCSL had to hold more professional training for the instructors serving the district. We strive to extend our expertise to accommodate all levels of play, from teaching how to move pawns to brushing up on those tricky mate-in-fives.
Our yearlong programs with Riverview Gardens and Normandy School Districts have also concluded, yielding a combined 250 new chess players from 1st-12th grade. The CCSCSL is dedicated to providing affordable district-wide chess instruction. Programs in recovering districts have the most value, providing students with alternative education to bolster academic skills.
We also owe a big thanks to Rockwood Community Education. This year we conducted classes in 13 Rockwood Elementary schools. 115 students of all skill levels took part in the Rockwood “Knights of the Round Table” chess clubs. Reaching out so far from the Central West End to grow our chess culture has been a monumental achievement for CCSCSL Scholastics!
On behalf of the CCSCSL, I extend my thanks to all of our participating partners. This school year, the CCSCSL conducted chess classes at over 90 different facilities across Saint Louis. You can find a complete list of partners on our website at http://saintlouischessclub.org/school-partners.
More could be done to promote our favorite game, and the effort starts with you. Any donation helps facilitate more programming. Did you know that for just $50 you can sponsor a brand new chess player? Sponsorship for an entire school is $500! I ask for your support to help continue grow our scholastics program. Thank you for supporting American Chess.
