HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ‘AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM’ IN FULL SWING
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today said that the Harrisburg School District’s 2008-2009 after-school program, now in its seventh year, is in full swing at all of the district’s 11 elementary schools. The program runs Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at all locations except for the Scott School which runs from Monday through Thursday.
Reed started the program in 2001 as an "extension of the school day" and said the program includes mentoring, tutoring and other nurturing activities. Each of the programs has a recreational component and a hot meal is served to students at the end of each day. This year, 1,090 students from the 9,000 student district are currently attending after-school programs.
Reed said 85 teachers were hired to work at least one hour extra a day to provide the tutoring. Each teacher must work with up to ten students in providing intensive tutoring for students not achieving grade level proficiency in any academic subjects.
Reed said the district’s after-school program has four separate components. The EXPLORE (Extended Program of Learning Opportunities and Recreational Activities) program provides a safe place to spend after-school time, enhances student’s academic success, promotes better use of leisure time, supports children’s social and emotional development and strengthens schools, families and communities. The teaching staff works with students on interdisciplinary, thematic programs that include literacy, mathematics, sciences and social studies. Computer-assisted instruction also allows students to improve their reading, computer and mathematical skills.
Reed said the Math Works program is for students who are below grade level in math.
Students also participate in programs provided by community partners such as the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Life Esteem, the Community Action Commission, and Jump Street, Inc., which includes art and cultural activities.
Reed said the ESW (Elect Student Works) program provides after-school activities for students in grades four to eight. He said the New Beginnings / TEN (teaching, enrichment, and nurturing) programs are two programs run by Dr. Howard Rosen in Harrisburg schools. These programs involve parents and provide homework and behavioral help. The New Beginnings / TEN programs are funded through Dauphin County and 21st Century.
Program locations for this year are as follows:
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-7) at the Ben Franklin School (51 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-8) at the Camp Curtin School (101 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades K-8) at the Downey School (102 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-6) at the Foose School (97 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-3) at the Hamilton School (44 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades K-3) at the Lincoln School (46 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-8) at the Marshall School (76 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-6) at the Melrose School (57 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-3) at the Scott School (50 students)
- EXPLORE program (grades 1-5) at the Steele School (47 students)
- ESW program (grades 4-8) at the Rowland School (115 students)
- ESW program (grades 4-6) at the Hamilton School (50 students)
- Math Works program (grades 4-8) at the Lincoln School (46 students)
- Math Works program (grades 4-6) at the Rowland School (40 students)
- TEN program (grades 4-6) at the Melrose School (42 students)
- TEN program (grades 4-8) at the Marshall School (40 students)
- TEN program (grades 4-6) at the Foose School (52 students)
- TEN / New Beginnings program (grades 4-8) at the Ben Franklin School (24 students)
"Each of the after-school programs currently in place within the Harrisburg School District serves to enhance the learning opportunities of the students enrolled," said Reed. "Every student can learn and every student can achieve his or her goals, and these programs help students to do so while providing them with a safe and nurturing learning environment."
Most of the after-school programs currently have a waiting list, but district officials are working to accommodate all children interested in the programs. For more information on the after-school programs, contact Debra Ferguson, Director of Grants and Federal Funding, at 703-4167.
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