After-school programs to begin in Clawson

 

By Jennifer Kopsch

C & G Staff Writer

     CLAWSON — When the second semester begins, students at all Clawson schools will have more opportunities to increase their academic success.     During a meeting Jan. 10, the Clawson Board of Education voted unanimously to fund new after-school programs for every school in the district. The programs will meet three times each week and will be open to all students.

     At the high school and middle school level, the program will be called the Scholars Club, and will meet Tuesday through Thursday from 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the high school media center. The Scholars Club will offer students a quiet place to study and get academic assistance. Three teachers will be available during each session to offer students one-on-one help, and members of the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society will serve as peer tutors.

     “The program will be to reduce some of our student risk-factors and to promote success,” said Clawson High School Principal Daveda Colbert. “It’s bound to be a success.”

     While at-risk students are strongly encouraged to attend, Colbert said the program also would help students who are already excelling gain an edge in their classes.

     “I think this is a great program for the kids,” said Board of Education Trustee Michael Pacquette.

     The program will run Jan. 25 through June 9, and Colbert said she hopes to have 30 students show up on the first day.

     At the elementary school level, the after-school program will expand on an educational program that already exists. Students at Schalm and Kenwood currently use an individualized, computer-based learning program that reinforces basic reading and math skills.  Now, the computer labs will stay open for one hour after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so kids can enhance their skills even more.

     “The better they do in this program, the better they do in their classroom work,” said Schalm Principal Patricia Pell. “It can affect a lot of children. Any chance we have to get them in there, it does help.”

     The computer program assesses each student’s skill level and then provides learning activities for them to work on.  As students master certain skills, the activities become more challenging.                                                          “It reinforces the basic skills they learn in the classroom,” said Kenwood Principal Virginia Mantela. “It’s very individualized.”                     

     According to Mantela, the program was offered a few years ago at Kenwood and was a success. However, the program was only open if parent volunteers were available to help. Now, the school board is providing funding for paraprofessionals to staff the program at each elementary school.

     You can reach Jennifer Kopsch at jkopsch@candgnews.com