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Ettrick School Gets Partners for After-School Activities / Grant Enables Work With Organizations in the Community

Posted on: Friday, 10 March 2006, 15:00 CST

By HOLLY PRESTIDGE

For 100 students at Chesterfield County's Ettrick Elementary School, January kicks off a wealth of after-school programs.

The school was awarded a federal grant in November worth $165,575 from the 21st Century Community Learning Center, part of the No Child Left Behind Act.

With the money, the school has partnered with several community organizations to provide afternoon-enrichment activities. Those partners include Virginia State University, Theatre IV, the YMCA and Matoaca High School.

Additionally, there are parent workshops scheduled.

"We're not only building relationships with our families but with our community," said Rosemary Rice-Jones, Ettrick's principal.

Starting later this month, VSU students will help children in grades two and three in Ettrick Elementary's reading center. Theatre IV will work with the school's fourth- and fifth-graders to produce plays based on the social-studies Standards of Learning. The YMCA will provide teaching assistants and will have programs for students address subjects such as making good decisions and nutrition.

Last, Matoaca students will be available to help students with technology and to help them produce plays with Theatre IV through skills such as desktop publishing.

The grant is renewable for two more years.

Rice-Jones said there is a tremendous opportunity for the school and community to link education with after-school activities, as well as grow the school's parent participation.

"It is truly a community effort," she said.

Contact staff writer Holly Prestidge at hprestidge@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6945.

MEMO: WEDNESDAY WATCH

Source: Richmond Times - Dispatch

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