Weekly Media Roundup: February 27, 2019

Westville Teens Give Back Year-Round, Commercial-News (Illinois)

More than 90 Illinois teens crafted blankets every day after school for two weeks to donate to a local veterans’ health care organization. The project was one of many service-learning projects teens in the Project Success afterschool program complete each year. In the past, projects have included creating cards for veterans and nursing home residents and ‘adopting’ seniors at Christmas time. Through the projects, teens practice leadership and social emotional skills. “I like to help with the projects,” student Alexis English told the Commercial-News. “Something as simple as a card will make others happy.”

Oakman Middle Benefits from YMCA Programs, Daily Mountain Eagle (Alabama)

At the afterschool program at Oakman Middle School in Alabama, all academic programming is tailored to complement and support what students are learning during the day. The program serves more than 60 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students also take part in a summer learning academy that builds pathways to college through visits to universities. “There's a lot of good work going on there,” Walker County Board of Education Chairman Brad Ingle told the Daily Mountain Eagle.

Pence Hosts After-School Program, The Fairfield Ledger (Iowa)

Students in the Community Character afterschool program at Pence Elementary School in Fairfield, Iowa design their own miniature golf holes, build model cars and program electronic balls. The students rotate between hands-on projects in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). On Saturdays, students take field trips to learn more about their community. “The kids have helped at PTO’s ‘Holiday Shop’ in December,” Program Director Katie Boatright told the Fairfield Ledger. “We went to the Fairfield Methodist Church where we made pies with the Methodist women. We’ve had a lot of community support.”

Club Helps Students Make B.I.G Changes in School and Community, Local DVM (Virginia)

Elementary teacher Rodney Brown was troubled by the lack of afterschool programs in his school, because afterschool programming had a major positive impact on him when he was a student. To address the problem, he created the Big Boys Into Gentlemen program to provide mentorship and leadership training to fourth and fifth grade boys. So far, students have presented to the school board, learned about business etiquette including handshakes and table setting, and connected with speakers from the community. “One of the most important gifts we can give these boys [is] to know that we believe in them and to understand that who they are is absolutely good enough, and that they are going to be prepared to lead in the future,” Assistant Principal Shane Goodwin told Local DVM.