Planning for After School
By Gina Kinslow, Glasgow Daily Times, Ky.
Aug. 2–When classes resume Aug. 7 for area students, so do after-school programs.
Most area schools offer some type of after-school program, usually through Extended School Services.
ESS is a program designed for students who need additional help in certain subjects. However, ESS was one program that suffered significant sate budget cuts.
“We are concerned because the government has cut that program and that was one of the things that was working well,” said Dr. Sam Dick, superintendent of Caverna Independent School District. “It received a substantial cut.”
Barren County’s ESS program also took a hit.
“Last year we did ‘Trojan Time,’ (which) was an after-school program that offered children Extra School Services classes in math or language arts activities, regular homework help session every day, archery, bowling, arts and crafts, as well as other recreational activities to go along with it,” said Dr. Jerry Ralston, superintendent of the Barren County School District. “All of our elementary schools provided an after-school child care program as well.”
This year, Barren County will not offer an ESS program.
“However, the child care program will still be offered at all of our elementary schools,” Ralston said. “ESS funds are being used to support our daytime ESS services.”
Two local organizations also offer after-school programs. The Barren County Family YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County both have offerings.
The Boys and Girls Club after-school program consists of Power Hour, which is homework time and tutoring, as well as sports activities, gym activities, a reading program, self-esteem classes and a game room, said Kelly Lile Jenkins, director of the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County.
The program is for all children ages 6-18 and is open from when school is out each day until 6 p.m.
“The only fee that applies is a $5 membership fee that is paid at the time of registration,” Jenkins said. “There are no other fees for the program.”
Jenkins checks to see what areas students are having problems in and then assigns tutors to work with them in those specific areas.
“Even if they don’t have homework, they will still be assigned tutors to help them in areas where they need it the most,” she said.
The Barren County Family YMCA is a licensed child care and offers a variety of activities, including yoga, Pilates, swimming, creative cooking, homework help, crafts, an indoor play gym and an outdoor play gym, said Amanda White, YMCA child care coordinator.
A new program the YMCA is offering this year as part of it’s after school program is called “40 Developing Assets,” a collaborative effort between the Y and Junior Achievement.
“It is a program that is designed to provide children with everything they need to make positive choices,” White said.
The YMCA’s after-school program is open to both members and non-members.
The weekly fee for members is: $35 for one child; $55 for two children; and $75 for three children. Fees for non-members are: $44 for one child; $70 for two children; and $96 for three children.
For more information about after-school programs offered by the YMCA, call 651-9622. For more information for programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club, call 629-3871.
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