Claysburg-Kimmel High School program provides kids with alternative after-school activities, academic help
Everyday millions of children leave school and return to an empty house. Known as "latchkey" kids, they're more likely to get into trouble between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and often spend their time parked in front of the television.
The Claysburg-Kimmel School District, in cooperation with its Communities That Care Board, is working to provide an alternative.
The district's CTC After School Program is targeted for middle-level students in grades 7-9 and is designed to provide a safe, positive place for students to go after school where they can be with friends, get an after-school snack, get help with homework from a tutor and engage in organized activities and sports. "We give them a place to relax and get help with school work. We try to encourage them to develop skills through sports and games," says Becky Albaugh, the program coordinator.
The program is run four afternoons a week at the local senior center and there's no cost for students - a state grant is subsidizing staffing and supplies. It began last spring and now attracts an average of 15 to 20 students and can accommodate about 30, according to Albaugh.
Eighth grader Jessica Preis says she likes hanging out with friends at the center. She says her grades have improved since she began coming to the program rather than going home or to friends' houses after school. "We all do our homework here rather than putting it off for later," she says. "I study better here." An hour of "quiet" study time is scheduled each afternoon and program workers follow-up with students' classroom teachers so they can provide help when their students need it. Jessica Focht says she likes the variety of activities students participate in every day. She also improved her grades - particularly in math. "This is a lot better than just going home," she says. Mike Feathers agrees. "I come here so I don't go home and be bored," he says. "A lot of my friends are here and we go out and play football, basketball and volleyball." He says he doesn't like having to do homework. "But at least it gets done now."
Randy Potter, an AmeriCorps volunteer assigned to the program says he's seen improvements in attitudes and participation from students. "We're helping to steer some students in a good direction so we're making a difference," he says.
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Representing Claysburg-Kimmel High School Student Kristen Weyandt, BCDA Chair Todd Roadman, Student Shawn Murphy and After School Program Cooridinator Becky Albaugh. |
