- Home
- Departments
- Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth & Learning
Mayor’s Office of Children, Youth & Learning
About Us
The Office of Children, Youth, and Learning (OCYL) is a one-of-a-kind education center that supports children and youth as they learn, grow, and achieve their fullest potential. Our mission is to help foster a comprehensive learning environment for the first two decades of their lives.
At OCYL, we believe that the out-of-school-time (OST) hours and preschool years provide an invaluable opportunity for each child to engage and explore in their own learning through unique, enriching educational programs. Our initiatives include Early Childhood Education, STEAMshop Programs and Backpack to Briefcase- Youth Development Programs.
OCYL is committed to supporting the development of life-long skills necessary to succeed: collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, social-emotional awareness, and a sense of community.
About Youth Development Programs
In these programs, teens have access to civic engagement opportunities, can try out various leadership roles, learn personal responsibility, and explore and prepare for college and career while becoming agents of change in their own lives. Join the Cumberland Youth Commission, attend leadership camps, and make an appointment for college advising or participate in our new Expressive Arts & Wellness programs!
Details
- Grades: 7th to 12th Grade
- School Year Programs: College Advising, Art Portfolio Reviews, Cumberland Youth Commission and "Our Minds Matter", Expressive Arts and Wellness clubs & programs
- Summer: Cumberland Leadership Academy, Expressive Arts & Wellness Camps, Prepare RI Internships for rising Seniors
- Volunteering
About OCYL Early Childhood Classes
Early Childhood Education is where children engage in essential early learning experiences. OCYL’s unique early childhood classes are joyful, dynamic, and developmentally appropriate, with play as a key ingredient for learning.
Details
- Ages: 0 to 6
- School Year Literacy & Number Sense: Ages 3 to 5
- Seasonal 8 week Adult/Child Music & Movement: Ages 0 to 3 Preschool Science, Music and Movement, Preschool Process Art, and Little STEAMers, Adult/Child Music and Movement
- Seasonal 7-8 week Lunch/Class Combos: For currently enrolled Level B Literacy & Number Sense Students only: Preschool Science, Music and Movement, Preschool Process Art, and Little STEAMers,
- Summer: 4 weeks of Literacy & Number Sense in July & August from 9-11 AM for Kindergarteners entering 1st Grade and ages 3-5. Also offered: Preschool Science and Music & Movement Mini Camp – Buggin’ Out! One week in June, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Ages 4-5
Significant financial assistance is available for Cumberland Residents who qualify. Please check the registration link to see dates, cost and what is currently available,
OCYL’s Literacy and Number Sense classes are taught by experienced teachers and assistants. Class includes circle time, learning centers (where children explore and play) and teacher led activities in a 2-hour preschool setting. Students are assigned to Level A or B class.
Literacy Classes
Children learn literacy skills through a targeted curriculum that includes songs, poems, circle time, literacy centers, small and whole group activities, and read-alouds. Children engage in play and activities that are related to phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, print knowledge, comprehension, reading and writing.
Number Sense Classes
Children learn math concepts through games, circle time, songs, learning centers, whole group activities and everyday math related experiences and problem solving. Children engage in play and activities that are related to number recognition, counting, and using numbers and language to compare quantities. Sorting, patterning, shapes, measurement, graphing, and number formation are included in the curriculum.
More about our teachers: Click here to see last year's assessment summary!
Our teachers support all children during self-guided discovery, construction of knowledge, and development of skills utilizing a curriculum that aligns with RI Early Learning & Development Standards. During class time, teachers also support each child’s development of language, cognition, social/emotional, and motor skills. Formative assessments are utilized by the teaching teams throughout the school year to aid in measuring children’s progress and to inform teaching and learning of specific early learning goals.
Teachers create a safe environment nurturing each child’s potential through positive, developmentally appropriate interactions that promote self-confidence and motivation to learn.
Teachers communicate with families as partners in their child’s education and development and are open to finding answers to questions from families while respecting children’s varying learning styles and home environments. All Lead Teachers, Teacher Assistants, OCYL Staff and Volunteers act professionally in the classroom/building and when interacting with families to create a joyful place for learning and growing, as we strive to serve children and their families in our community.
About STEAMshop Programs
The STEAMshop is a place for student-centered expression, creativity, innovation, and out-of-the-box thinking. Students are empowered to take creative risks to develop perseverance, resourcefulness, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, teamwork, and flexibility for the 21st century.
Details
- Click here for the upcoming schedule: Winter 2024
- Grades: Kindergarten to 8th Grade.
- Seasonal 8-Week, Afternoon & Evening & Saturday Programs: Chess, Art, Creation Lab, Private Music Lessons in Guitar, Piano, Voice and more hands-on topics!
- Summer: Camps and 6-Week Evening Programs: Check for class listings in spring.
-
Front Desk
Phone: (401)475-0929 Ext. 1
Newsletters
Click here to see the latest Office of Children, Youth, and Learning Newsletter