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All the right moves
Lights shine on after-school programs
Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by REID SILVERMAN
Isaiah Spells, a second-grader at George Washington Carver Elementary School, makes his next move Tuesday afternoon on an oversized chessboard as he plays a match with his brother, Isaac, a fourth-grader, not pictured, while Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland chess coach Dianne Dixon stands by to give advice during the Lights On After School celebration at Carver. See story on Page A-4.
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Tess Mason does not know what she would do if not for the after-school program her son attends.
"I think it's really positive," she said. "It keeps the children off the streets."
Mason drives a school bus for St. Mary's public schools and does not get home for several hours after her son's middle school lets out.
If he went straight home, she said, there would be too many opportunities for him to get involved in "bad things" on the streets of her neighborhood.
Along with activities during the program hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland, her son gets help with homework. Paying a babysitter or day care is out of the question, she said, so the low cost of the after-school program, which runs five days a week and includes bus transportation, works out great.
"That one-time fee is awesome. With all the different things that they do, it's really worth it," she said.
The low cost — some programs have an annual fee of $25 while others are offered for free — combined with the need for some parents to work a second job or longer hours has led to more children participating in the programs.
"We're actually seeing more demand for our programs right now," said Mark Smith, St. Mary's public schools' coordinator for special programs.
The demand is going up, but the economic recession has hurt after-school programs.
"We have had some [budget] cuts," Smith said. But through restructuring of some of the programs and thanks to grants, "we're not in bad shape," he said.
In St. Mary's County about 600 children participate in programs funded through 21st Century grants from the Maryland State Department of Education at George Washington Carver, Lexington Park, Park Hall and Green Holly elementary schools along with Spring Ridge Middle, Great Mills High and the newly opened Carver Recreation Center. Along with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the local Kiwanis Club also runs programs at several schools in the county.
Another 400 to 500 children are part of other after-school programs funded by the school system, county government and other grants sources, Smith said.
The programs can cost as much as $2,200 per student per year, he said.
On Oct. 20 St. Mary's public schools showcased the variety of after-school programs in local schools in the national Lights On After School celebration.
"It's across the country. There're a million people participating throughout the week," he said.
Some St. Mary's students were given disposable cameras earlier this school year to document "the light of my life," which showed students' inspirations, including pets, football, younger siblings, flowers and family. Those photos and descriptions were on display at the event.
Spring Ridge and Carver school rhythm clubs performed on stage, as did the Great Mills High gospel choir and the Green Holly step club. Free food was provided for the more than 400 visitors, Smith said.
Lexington Park Elementary first-grader Christopher Lebel said he enjoys the after-school program, especially since some of his school friends stay after, too. "We play activities," he said.
Both of his parents work and said the program is a godsend.
The focus on academics during regular school hours to meet testing requirements and other issues has sometimes taken away the flexibility for teachers to do extra things, Smith said. Along with the goal of providing children a safe time during the hours after school but before parents are home, the programs also open up opportunities to get beyond core academics.
Chess, drumming and dancing, robotics and fitness are among the activities that allow students to stretch their wings offered to students in the programs.
"We have a lot but we need a lot more, actually," Smith said.
