• What is the Ramapo Opens Opportunities To Students (ROOTS) program?
  Since 1998, ROOTS has been a continuing program targeted to Paterson public school students entering grades 7 through 9. ROOTS is a science/math/technology enrichment program for students with the potential to go to college.  It emphasizes hands-on work and problem solving and the assigned projects are specifically geared to foster experimentation and learning.
  
  
• When does ROOTS meet?
  In the summer, approximately 60 middle school students attend a four-week program at Ramapo College where they have classes in science, mathematics, computers, social studies and English. 
  During the regular school year, additional meetings are held on Saturdays at the John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson.  In addition there are field trips and college visits making a total of 20 meetings during the academic year.
  
  
• Who is eligible for ROOTS?
  All students currently enrolled in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grades in a Paterson public school are eligible to apply for the ROOTS summer program (ROOTS winter program enrolls 7th, 8th and 9th graders.) Students must be interested in academic pursuits and capable of keeping up with fast moving educational experiences. ROOTS is NOT a remedial program. It is designed for students who are interested in learning and would gain from hands-on experiences, team work, and project-based education.
  
  
• How much money does it cost?
  NOTHING! All necessary supplies, transportation, and lunches are provided to the students by the program, free of charge.
  
  
• Is there transportation?
  In the summer, buses leave from JFK promptly at 8:00 am and arrive at Ramapo College at approximately 8:45. The buses return in the afternoon leaving the College at 3:00 pm and arriving at JFK in Paterson around 3:45.  Lunch is served at the Ramapo College cafeteria.
  
  
• What are the ROOTS activities?
  In the summer, classes are held 4 days a week, from Monday to Thursday. Throughout the summer, there are field trips to educational sites.  Some of our previous field trips were to Sandy Hook, a Wolf Preserve, a sail on the Clearwater and bowling. Students will also work on a project that is related to the theme for that year. Themes included water, inventions and in 2006, forensics.
  During the academic year the students attend Saturdays at Kennedy HS and work on projects that require science, math and engineering skills.  Past projects included building mini-cars to climb a ramp, catapults capable of shooting cantaloupes, kiwis, apples or coconuts. other projects were original toy designs and rocketry.
  
  

Typical Daily Summer Schedule
		Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
Period 1	09:00-09:50 AM	Science	English	Social Studies	Computers
Period 2	10:00-10:45 AM	Mathematics	Social Studies	Computers	Science
Period 3	10:50-11:40 AM	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Period 4	11:50-12:50 PM	English	Computers	Computers	Mathematics
Period 5	12:55-01:55 PM	Social Studies	Science	Science	Engineering
Period 6	02:00-02:50 PM	Computers	Mathematics	Mathematics	Social Studies

 

• Who works with the students?
  The students work with Kennedy High School teachers and with high school students who are enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), program and serve as ROOTS counselors.
  
  
• How is the program funded?
  Grants from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education College Bound Program, the Paterson School District, and Ramapo College pay all the expenses of the ROOTS program.

ROOTS Calendar

Summer 2006 schedule:

July 5 – July 27
           Daily schedule 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM at Ramapo College
            July 11 – Mystery show, 4-6 PM
           July 18 – Field trip to Sandy Hook
           July 27 – Final Banquet for students and parents

Academic Year 2006/2007 schedule:

• 10/14/06 - First ROOTS meeting.
• 03/31/07 - Knowledge Bowl at TCNJ
• 06/09/07 - Ramapo River Day, Mahwah

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