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S.M.I.L.E.S.

Beverley B. Fifer, Project Director

Janie Samuel, Coordinator

Vickie Warden, Teacher

Students More Involved in Learning to Enhance Success

Valley Institute Elementary School21st Century Community Learning Center

S.M.I.L.E.S. Activities

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The Need for After-School Programs

28 million school-age children have parents who work outside the home

An estimated five to seven million, and up to 15 million “latch key children” return to

empty homes Youngsters often experiment with drugs,

tobacco, and/or alcohol Juvenile crime triples

U.S. Department of Education

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Peak Hours: 3:00 – 6:00

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After-school Programs Are

Effective Deterrents to

Crime

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49% less likely to use drugs27% less likely to start drinking37% less likely to become teen

parents

34% more cooperative with adults37% more able to handle conflict

productively National PTA

Children in After-School Programs:

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Children in After-School Programs:

Improve academic performance

Focus on areas which need reinforcement

Develop increased interest and ability in reading

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Children in After-School Programs:

Develop better social skills

Indicate that they have higher aspirations for the future

Have a reduced rate of retention in grade and placement in special education

Students who spend even one to four hours a week in extracurricular activities are 60% less likely to drop out of school by the 12th grade than their peers who do not participate.

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Wide-Spread Belief:Children Need Organized Activities and

Places to Go

National PTA’s poll found that 70% of parents support increased federal funding for after-school programs.

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Wide-Spread Belief

According to the 1999 Mott Foundation and

JC Penney survey of registered voters, 92% agreed that children should have an organized activity and a place to go

after school. By a three-to-one margin, Americans

agreed to pay more taxes to provide after-school care.

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More than 90% of police chiefs surveyed said that investing in after-school programs now will result in paying far less later in terms of crime, welfare, and other costs.

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“After-school programs can strengthen families and keep working parents from worrying. They can keep communities secure, help fight crime and make the school the thriving center of the community.”

Richard W. RileyU.S. Secretary of Education

1999

S.M.I.L.E.S.

Afternoons Filled with Fun

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Starting An After-school Program

Determine the interest of parents

Contact school officials, principals

Develop a broad support base, involve people who are interested in children and

child care

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Starting An After-School Program

Select, identify a person to “spearhead”

the effort

Determine the need – survey

Estimate enrollment

Identify space needed – exclusive use desired

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Sponsorship

Schools in schools Independent agencies in schools Independent agencies in non-school sites Day care providers Family care providers

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Indoor and Outdoor Space Considerations

Indoor

- quiet space

- area for snack

- large space for gym activities, assemblies

Outdoor

- area for playing games/sports

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Equipment Needs

Books for pleasure and for reference

Instructional material for reinforcement

Age appropriate tables or desks

Chairs Teacher stations/desks Games and puzzles

Access to a telephone Internal communication

walkie talkies Tape/CD players Computers Sports equipment Art supplies

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Budget Considerations

Funding Sources

- Grants

- Contributions

- Fee Structure

- In-Kind Building Fee Energy Cost Custodial Care

Building Maintenance Child:Staff Ratio Program Needs Field Trips Transportation

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21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Washington, DC 20202-6175

Fax: 202-260-3420 e-mail: 21stCCLC@ed.gov Website: http://www.ed.gov/21stcclc

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Staffing Needs – A Team Approach

Project Director On-Site Coordinator Teachers Instructional Assistants Transportation Staff Substitutes

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Programming Considerations

Academic Focus Cultural, Enrichment Activities Parental Involvement Drop In Program versus Daily Schedule Staffing Needs to Execute Program Offered

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The S.M.I.L.E.S Program

Daily Activities

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Homework and Tutorial Assistance

Students spend a minimum of 45 minutes per day with guided academic activities

Certified teachers and instructional assistants provide small group and individualized tutoring

Peer tutoring and cooperative learning are

also used.

Study time is held in regular classrooms, using many of the same instructional materials from the regular curriculum.

Some instructional materials are secured specifically for the after-school program.

First Graders are practicing decoding with Sing, Spell, Read, and Write.

Strong linkages occur between the school-day and after-school personnel. Staff members develop shared plans and strategies for students’ success.

Daily planners are an excellent communication tool for keeping track of homework, upcoming projects and events, goal setting, task completion, and time management. Teachers and parents expect students to properly use the planners.

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Recreation

Outside Fun

On the Playground

Students participate in structured as well student planned activities for approximately 30 minutes each afternoon.

CraftsChristmas ornaments, baskets, jewelry, or

Appalachian heritage crafts are only a few of the choices for the children.

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Snacks

Students receive a nutritious snack each day– Milk, Juice, Cereal, Cookies, Fruit, Muffins. Etc.

Funded through the Federal Snack Program No cost to the

students

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Community Partners

Appalachian Girl Scout Council

Barter Theatre Boy Scouts of America Bristol Motor Speedway Girls Inc. Highlands Community

Services

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Goodson Kinderhook Volunteer Fire Department

Morgan McClure Museum

Mount Rogers Regional Adult Educational Program

Southwest Virginia 4-H Center Barter Players

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Community Partners

Tri-City Regional Airport Washington County

Office on Youth Washington County

Public Library Washington County

Recreation Dept. William King Regional

Art Center

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Proven Ideas to Enhance Program

Field Trips - Educational, Recreational Activities for the Entire School Parent Nights, Highlighting Student

Accomplishments Parenting Classes, Childcare Offered Parent Resource Center Family Trip

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Transportation – Often a Barrier

Transportation to thethe homes is

essential Include in the budget

salaries, trip costs In-kind services are

often available Maintenance and fuel

to be considered