New Chess Tournament for Oakland Kids!
"Chess is not just a game; it’s a time-tested, cost-effective way to engage children in learning, improve their test scores and their chances in life. We want to keep them on track and in school."
-- Elizabeth Shaughnessy, Berkeley Chess School President
Maxwell Park Elementary to Host May 21st Chess Tournament for Title 1
Public Schools
BCS Oakland Chess Program promotes peaceful play while teaching kids essential
learning skills
On Thursday, May 21st at Maxwell Park Elementary School, the Berkeley Chess School (BCS), in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), is hosting a chess tournament for 245 Oakland students. Third and fourth graders from five Title 1 elementary schools - Futures, Maxwell Park, Santa Fe, Learning without Limits and Esperanza - will compete. Four of these five schools are located within a two-mile radius of International Boulevard, where the shooting deaths of four police officers shocked the nation only a month ago.
Each of these schools has welcomed BCS into their classrooms to instruct their students in the joys and challenges of chess. They recognize that chess can improve the students’ test scores and help with classroom behavior and attendance. One 4th grade teacher at Futures Elementary says:
"My kids LOVE the chess program. They are very engaged during the lessons and choose to play chess even when their teacher is not here and they have free time. This class had a hard time in the beginning of the year, both academically and behaviorally - especially getting along with one another. Chess has helped them realize that they can play with anyone and still have fun. They are also doing better academically. They are teaching family members and friends how to play, and are asking for chess sets for Christmas and birthdays."
BCS knows from experience that chess helps students do better in the classroom. Our three-year chess program in Richmond helped a low-income school, JO Ford Elementary, climb from a "school in need of improvement" to a "school of merit". Ford now ranks in the top 10% of similar schools across California. After two years of chess instruction, English Learners (children with limited English proficiency) surpassed their peers at all neighboring schools on both English and Math standardized tests.
At this tournament, one in four students will receive a trophy. All participants will receive a chess medal.
For this first year of the program The Irene S. Scully Family Foundation, BCS parents and board members, the Hellman Family Foundation and the Arthur Rock foundation provided funding. The program also includes a formal study by the Berkeley Policy Associates to determine the impact of chess on academic performance, attendance and classroom behavior.
>> To learn more about our program, and support our efforts, please click here.
Photos and Stories about the BCS Oakland Chess Program
Contact Information:
development at berkeleychessschool.org
(t) 510-843-0150
(f) 510-843-0140