Weekly Media Roundup: November 2, 2022

If the Phillies Win, So Do the Mighty Writers. Mayor Kenney’s Bet Could Pay Off for the After-School Writing Program, WHYY (Pennsylvania)

If the Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has pledged to donate to Philadelphia’s Mighty Writers afterschool program, as part of a friendly bet between Mayor Turner and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Mayor Kenney included the program as part of the terms for the bet last week. Mighty Writers founder Tim Whitaker told WHYY, “I don’t know the mayor personally. I had a conversation with him a couple of years ago — a very brief conversation about his interest in reading for kids and writing. We were surprised.” The program, which serves more than 5,000 students throughout the city, focuses on writing projects geared to students’ interests.

Nonprofit’s Focus on Social Skills Leads to Academic Improvement at These Fort Worth Schools, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)

For nearly 50 years, Clayton Youth Enrichment has provided free and reduced cost before- and afterschool programming in schools throughout Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to receiving healthy meals and homework assistance, students participate in leadership, independence and mindfulness activities that help strengthen their social and emotional skills. “We are giving them those tools to settle disagreements, giving them the tools to say I’m not OK with this and saying do you understand me and asking others to respect what I say,” Margaret McGee-Harris, program director, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Ridgedale Launched Afterschool Program Through 21st Century Grant, Marion Star (Ohio)

Thanks to a 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant, the Ridgedale School District in Morral, Ohio is opening two new before- and afterschool programs for third through eighth graders. Students will take part in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, social-emotional learning activities and receive tutoring support at the free programs. “Our goal is to always help [students] become better humans, and we now have the ability to extend our school day and provide that safe place for our kids to be - either to get some additional help or to engage in some enriching activities to meet some goals of our own,” Ridgedale Elementary School Principal Jessica Parthemore told the Marion Star. The Ridgedale School District also received a Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grant through the Ohio Department of Education to open an afterschool program for kindergarteners through second graders.

Team Work: Washington Teachers, LeMoyne Center Collaborate on After-School Program, Observer-Reporter (Pennsylvania)

Students in the Homework and More afterschool program at LeMoyne Community Center in Washington, Pennsylvania get tutoring from certified teachers thanks to a partnership with Washington School District, where most of its students attend school.  Afterward, students eat a hot meal and explore a wide variety of hands-on activities including art, Zumba, STEM, baking, financial literacy, African drumming and more. “We’re elated to have the relationship with the LeMoyne Community Center,” Washington School District Superintendent George Lammay told the Observer-Reporter. “It is a longstanding community organization that has been a blessing to our kids. It’s tied our two organizations more closely together, and this continues our efforts to strengthen our bond as we strive in the same direction for our kids.”