Future Bridge PlayersBy Brigitte Sandifer
On January 5th through the 11th, Westchester Academy for International Studies in Houston, Texas held a highly successful, intensive one-week "Bridge in Schools" study group for 35 students in grades 6 - 8. Inspired by the success of a similar program last year with 20 students, Westchester teachers, Bonnie Watts and Kim Montgomery, got more ambitious. The pupils attended bridge classes for three hours each day. The final day was celebrated with a mini-duplicate tournament complete with trophies, t-shirts, certificates and pizza.
The lead instructor was Sandy Stevens, assisted by Natalie Wernet. Volunteers included Ming Su, Brigitte Sandifer, Mary Jane Kinnebrew, Leora Nowitz, Janice Sandberg and Nic Prado. ACBL provided the class with books (Bidding in the 21st Century), 10 packs of EZ Deal cards, a step-by-step teachers manual, Learn to Play Bridge cd’s, certificates, t-shirts and trophies and previously matchpointed hands for the tournament. To practice shuffling and dealing, previously used playing cards collected from various Unit 174 clubs were given to the students.
By the end of the class, students had a clear concept of what bridge is all about and a good foundation of basic bidding. They were comfortable with bidding boxes, play and scoring and most had established screen names for BridgeBase and had played online. Everyone was amazed at how much the students had learned. The Westchester teachers are so enthused they are looking into starting a Bridge Club at the school and are hoping to involve their students in some local tournaments.
