Weekly Media Roundup: January 29, 2020

New After School Program in Syracuse Helping Children of All Abilities, Local SYR (New York)

At the ARISE Syracuse afterschool program in New York, students of all ages and abilities complete art projects, play games and learn together. The program’s classroom includes unique features to support children with disabilities, such as a sensory corner where children with sensory processing issues can take breaks. The program was created to address a gap in afterschool programming for children with disabilities in the community. “I think it’s really hard for parents to be able to know that their child is safe at all times, especially with kids with disabilities. So it definitely helps the families feel secure,” Mary Kate Menges, coordinator of inclusive recreation, told Local SYR.

Kraken Up at SAFE BASE, The Iola Register (Kansas)

Last week, students in the SAFE BASE afterschool program in Iola, Kansas celebrated “Giant Squid Week” by completing hands-on, squid-themed activities. Fifth- and sixth-graders used scientific tools to dissect real squids, examining their eyes, gills, hearts, ink sacks, tentacles and more to learn about biology. Students also learned to make fried calamari and tasted the results. “It’s so interesting the way things work. When I have an opportunity to learn, I take it. That’s why I like SAFE BASE,” student Austin Nelson told the Iola Register.

Providing Pathways to Success, Ramona Home Journal (California)

The Pathways afterschool program in Ramona, California offers a wide variety of resources to support students’ academic, physical and social-emotional growth. Students can access mental health counseling, receive food, clothing, and shoes, learn to care for fruit trees and native plants, take part in workshops with professional scientists and more. Director of Finance and Human Resources Kim Simas told the Ramona Home Journal that the reward for her work is “seeing these kids come to school with clothes on their backs, not shivering, with no holes in their shoes. Seeing them be excited about a particular project they’re working on after school. Seeing them buy into everything we’re trying to do for them and then appreciating it.”

Helping Hand - After-School All-Stars Hawaii, Hawaii Public Radio (Hawaii)

Students at 10 middle schools in Hawaii can attend a free, comprehensive afterschool program facilitated by After-School All-Stars Hawaii each afternoon. There, they work on homework with tutors before playing sports ranging from bocce to basketball, completing hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) projects, and more. “Last year we did more than 4,500 hours of service learning with our students… We emphasize to them: You have to give back to your community,” President and CEO Paula Fitzell told Hawai’i Public Radio