Scott Valley parents should be
well acquainted with the 21st Century after school program. The program
originally received grant funding for three years, but with prudent management, the money
was stretched to cover a fourth year. This year was the last year of funding. The grant
anticipated that the project would be handed over for continuation to the community -
parents, sponsors, volunteers and organizations. It is time to step up to the plate.
The program concentrates on the three hours after school, from 3-6
p.m., when statistics show that 70% of juvenile crime and teen pregnancies occur.
The core purposes of the program are to provide: (1) a safe place for
kids after school; (2) a place and time to do homework; and (3) a healthy snack. Although
enrichment activities varied among the seven participating sites, they have included: 4-H;
Boy and Girl scouts or Brownies; art; music; cooking; field trips; and recreational
partnerships, (such as tennis; wrestling; skiing; volleyball; archery.) According to a
participating parents survey, 60 out of the 63 parents who replied indicated satisfaction
that their child had benefited from their participation in the program.
Individual student’s progress was tracked through their test
scores and grades. Children who participated in the program 30 days or more in the first
year saw an average increase of 7% in their test scores and grades. Children continuing
with 30 days or more in the program the second year increased scores and grades by about
9%; and the third year by 12%. Visits to the Principal’s office decreased from 172 to
6 in the first year of the program as children learned new strategies for handling
conflict. Records show 90% of attendees completed more of their homework than they had
before the program.
This year, second graders in Scott Valley scored higher on tests than
in any other school district. I am told that there were also improvements in other test
scores. http://sisnet.ssku.k12.ca.us/localsites.html Cliff Munson has indicated
that he is currently working on a final report that will summarize the success of the
program.
I recently attended a meeting to discuss next steps in continuing
this program. We brainstormed on ways to continue to fund the program; ways to expand
community support and involvement; and what “bare bones” services we may be able
to keep in place next year while the community steps up to taking the program over. If you
are interested in becoming part of the community team to work toward continuation of the
after school program, or if you have some ideas or input, please contact Cliff Munson at 467-3403 or Jeff Fowle at 467-3731.
A final note, it is never too early to make plans to attend the Scott
Valley Bluegrass Festival on July 16-17 at the Etna City Park on Howell Street. http://users.sisqtel.net/svcoc/SVbluegrass.htm
Last year was an absolute blast!
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