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Description
Implemented in 1995, the purpose of the Marsing Afterschool Program is twofold: 1) to provide families with affordable child care; and 2) to provide students from elementary through middle school with safe, developmentally appropriate activities that enhance their social, physical, artistic, and educational development. The Afterschool Program has been in operation for four years and has become a vital service to the community. The elementary and middle school administrators provide their services in the overall organization of the program, and staffing is provided by three teachers who elect to work additional hours beyond their normal school day. The dedication of these staff members is the primary reason for the success of the program, and because they are teachers in the school already, they have a familiarity with the students that wouldn't otherwise be possible. The program operates from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each school day. Parents are required to transport their children home. A daily schedule is followed that includes homework assistance, physical activities, a healthy snack, and an enrichment activity. Students attending the program are also instructed in basic drug and alcohol education. Beyond the general schedule, there are several components of the program that target different needs of students and the community. For example, tutoring is a priority component of the program. For elementary students, program staff take referrals from classroom teachers and, based on these referrals, help individual students with areas of difficulty. The students are divided into three age-appropriate groups and are instructed by an individual teacher. Tutoring is also important at middle school level, where students can go to the school's computer lab and receive one-on-one instruction and computer skills training. The primary focus of all tutoring efforts is students who are struggling academically. Other components of the program include 4-H clubs, nutrition instruction, and a recently added literacy component, funded through a grant from the Albertson's Community Foundation. This grant provides for literacy labs that are available for all students but targeted especially at students not meeting grade-level standards. These labs are staffed by two additional certified teachers. The labs are divided into two separate developmental groups; grades one through three in one group and grades four through five in another. The primary group focuses on literature immersion, while the older group works on writing in a computer-based environment. The students move in and out of the labs and are able to attend the functions of the Afterschool Program as well. Another new component of the Afterschool Program this year is the Fine Arts Series, which was funded by a Creative and Innovative Grant from the Idaho Department of Education and was designed to bring culture and enrichment to the children of Marsing. A different area is being focused on each quarter. Enrichment programs are presented on a daily basis and include music and drama, intramural sports, science and math, language arts and publishing. Community collaboration and other outside funding sources have been an important focus for the Afterschool Program. The original program was funded by Safe and Drug-Free Schools federal monies, but since that time new programs and funding sources have been added each year. A grant from the State Health and Welfare Agency helped provide software and supplies at the secondary level efforts. Feeding America's Youth provided the snacks in the months of May and September. Parents, too, are a vital part of the program, and their letters of support were a major factor contributing to the renewal of the program's Safe and Drug Free Schools grant. Parents assist in providing snacks and often assist on special occasions. To keep parents abreast of activities, program teachers publish a regular newsletter highlighting the various activities. The success of the program is evidenced by the number of students who attend on a daily basis-anywhere from 30-55 are present each day out of a total student population (K-8) of 490. On days of special events or holiday celebrations, as many as 80 students have attended. Because of this affordable program, many families have had the opportunity to enter the workforce. The Afterschool Program provides the peace of mind that children are in a safe environment. Observed Outcomes
Keys to Success
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