Weekly Media Roundup: November 10, 2021

Lakeside, YMCA Partner for After-School Program, The Sentinel-Record (Arkansas)

Thanks to federal relief funds, Lakeside Primary School in Hot Springs, Arkansas is offering its S.C.O.R.E. (Successful Children's Out-of-school-time Recreation and Education) program free this year. Facilitated in partnership with the Hot Springs Family YMCA, the afterschool program focuses on academic support and social and emotional learning. “Historically, the parents had to pay for after-school programs," Jamie Preston, district administrator, told the Sentinel-Record.. "When we got our federal relief money, that was one of the things that our superintendent … felt really strongly about ... the money is designed to accommodate learning loss… When we were shut down, our parents had to assume the responsibilities of being the teachers. So we want to give back."

Afterschool Program Provides Students Hands-On Experience in Various Trades, WTNH-TV (Connecticut)

Meriden Public Schools and the Connecticut Technical Education Career System are working together to provide an afterschool program  for high school students in Meridien, Connecticut that teaches valuable job skills. The Career Academy offers courses in collision repair, carpentry and culinary skills and includes certifications for those who complete the two-year program. “I think it all began with looking into what were some creative partnerships we could institute to help our students gain learning experiences outside of the regular school day,” Susan Moore, director of technology for Meriden Public Schools, told WTNH-TV. “We hope they’re finding their passion for the career they want to do when they leave high school.”

Working Parents Frustrated by 500 Student-Long Waitlist for Jersey City After-School Program, NJ.com (New Jersey)

Staffing shortages, limited facility space and an increased demand for afterschool programs have resulted in long waitlists at CASPER afterschool programs in Jersey City Public Schools. Nearly 1,400 students are enrolled in the program, but 500 students are currently on the waitlist. The district is considering moving the afterschool programs to larger facilities, but that will cause transportation issues. “It’s not just the staff, it’s the location, it’s the space,” Norma Fernandez, deputy superintendent for Jersey City schools, told NJ.com. “It’s a multi-faceted problem.”

Boys and Girls Club Adds Additional Afterschool Program in West Hawaii, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald (Hawaii)

In October, the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island (BGCBI) opened its fifth afterschool program in South Kona, Hawaii, with capacity to serve 100 students. “As we settle back into some normalcy within our communities, BGCBI has seen a huge need for after school care in South Kona,” CEO Chad Cabral told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. “We provide after school care until about 5:30, free child care for parents that need to work those extra hours so they can provide for their families.” At the free program, students get help with their homework, eat a hot meal, and take part in fun, educational activities.