Post by gatormom on Sept 13, 2006 5:08:54 GMT -6
College students to help kids
By Sara Hooker
Aurora parents may have an inexpensive outlet for keeping their middle school students out of trouble after school.
It seems simple enough: Keep them at school.
A number of school and city agencies teamed up to create a free, citywide after-school program led by Aurora University work/study students.
“Middle school students in particular are a difficult age group,” Indian Prairie Unit District 204 Superintendent Howard Crouse said. “They have both the desire to have something somewhat structured and having something not supervised by adults. Using college students as part of a work/study program puts a very different spin on that relationship.”
A pilot program begins at Still Middle School in January as well as at East Aurora District 131’s Cowherd Middle School and West Aurora District 129’s Jefferson Middle School.
Organizers said they want to work with students from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. — a time many students find themselves participating in unsupervised activities.
Statistics show petty crime increases between when middle school finishes for the day and dinnertime, Crouse said.
“It’s a time in which they seem to create their own issues and their own problems,” Crouse said. “Frankly, a bored middle student is not a good middle school student.”
The program is a product of efforts from the Aurora school districts, Aurora University, the city of Aurora, Communities in Schools, the Fox Valley Park District, the Sci Tech Museum, the Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Police Department.
“I hope it fills a real need for some of our students who may or may not be involved in after-school programs and want to have some socialization and to enjoy each other,” said Kathryn Birkett, District 204 assistant superintendent for secondary education. “It’s about drawing kids in and giving them something to do during that 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe when so many of our kids are alone.”
Students can participate in a number of activities such as cooking, sports, outdoor nature activities, music and dance in addition to homework.
The program won’t be at any cost to the district, other than the cost to operate the facility.
Next year, District 204’s Granger Middle School at 2721 Stonebridge Blvd. in Aurora, may also develop a program.
“My goal is to have good representation of our school community taking part in the program,” Still Principal Jennifer Nonnemacher said.
“I hope it helps the kids to feel more connected to the school and to give them a sense of belonging. They’re being exposed to new opportunities, ideas and new stimuli — I think that’s really important for kids this age.”
By Sara Hooker
Aurora parents may have an inexpensive outlet for keeping their middle school students out of trouble after school.
It seems simple enough: Keep them at school.
A number of school and city agencies teamed up to create a free, citywide after-school program led by Aurora University work/study students.
“Middle school students in particular are a difficult age group,” Indian Prairie Unit District 204 Superintendent Howard Crouse said. “They have both the desire to have something somewhat structured and having something not supervised by adults. Using college students as part of a work/study program puts a very different spin on that relationship.”
A pilot program begins at Still Middle School in January as well as at East Aurora District 131’s Cowherd Middle School and West Aurora District 129’s Jefferson Middle School.
Organizers said they want to work with students from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. — a time many students find themselves participating in unsupervised activities.
Statistics show petty crime increases between when middle school finishes for the day and dinnertime, Crouse said.
“It’s a time in which they seem to create their own issues and their own problems,” Crouse said. “Frankly, a bored middle student is not a good middle school student.”
The program is a product of efforts from the Aurora school districts, Aurora University, the city of Aurora, Communities in Schools, the Fox Valley Park District, the Sci Tech Museum, the Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Police Department.
“I hope it fills a real need for some of our students who may or may not be involved in after-school programs and want to have some socialization and to enjoy each other,” said Kathryn Birkett, District 204 assistant superintendent for secondary education. “It’s about drawing kids in and giving them something to do during that 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe when so many of our kids are alone.”
Students can participate in a number of activities such as cooking, sports, outdoor nature activities, music and dance in addition to homework.
The program won’t be at any cost to the district, other than the cost to operate the facility.
Next year, District 204’s Granger Middle School at 2721 Stonebridge Blvd. in Aurora, may also develop a program.
“My goal is to have good representation of our school community taking part in the program,” Still Principal Jennifer Nonnemacher said.
“I hope it helps the kids to feel more connected to the school and to give them a sense of belonging. They’re being exposed to new opportunities, ideas and new stimuli — I think that’s really important for kids this age.”
