Weekly Media Roundup: August 24, 2022

Local School Program Helps Students Succeed, Expands to Midland, WNEM (Michigan)

Throughout the pandemic, R1SE Education & Recreation in Freeland, Michigan provided before- and after school programs and tutoring support to students to help keep them engaged and learning. This fall, they are opening a second location in Midland, Michigan and both sites already have waitlists. “I can see R1SE making education fun and exciting for kids,” Nick Horn, the new director at R1SE in Midland, told WNEM. “I think we want to see them grow as students, young people, grow confidence in themselves.”

NYC Brings Camp to the Classroom in Summer Rising, Chalkbeat

All 110,000 spots in New York City’s Summer Rising program were filled days after applications opened this year. Boosted by federal COVID-19 relief funds, the free program was facilitated through partnerships between schools and community organizations. Students sharpened their literacy and math skills while also participating in outdoor activities, arts, field trips and more. During a recent visit to the P.S. 7 site in Queens, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the students were “Ready for the school year. They’re full of confidence. They have more social skills.”

Holmes County Schools Start a New After-School Program in Place of WINGS, WJHG (Florida)

Despite the loss of federal funding, the Holmes County School District in Florida has secured additional funds to reopen its popular afterschool program this fall. “There are only so many hours in the given school day. The afternoon program gave us another hour, hour and a half to provide some extra support,” Holmes County School Board Superintendent Buddy Brown told WJHG. Elementary and middle school students attending the program will receive homework assistance and snacks and enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities.

Portland Struggles to Recruit Staff Needed for After-School Program, Portland Press Herald (Maine)

More than 150 elementary school students are on a waitlist for the Before & After the Bell program in Portland, Maine, which is facing a staffing crisis. Program leaders say unless they hire an additional 10 staff members before the start of the school year, administrators may have to step in to run the program, which would make it unlikely that any waitlisted children will get a spot. The city is offering tuition discounts to local college students as well as child care stipends to try to recruit qualified workers to the program. Parents have a lot at stake. “Normal people’s hours don’t go with school hours, so having that aftercare is super helpful for me to be able to continue on with my work and also know my child is taken care of and enjoying his time,” parent and surgical technician Kim England told the Portland Press Herald. “My son comes back after school happy, having learned new things and having met new people.”