The Waitsburg 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) has begun operation!  What is the 21st Century CLC?  When the Federal government passed the No Child Left Behind legislation in 2001 it provided for grants to be made available to local educational agencies and state educational agencies as well as local school districts to help implement the legislation.  The Waitsburg School District partnered with Pomeroy School District, Prosser School District, Touchet School District and Vista Hermosa/Jubilee Christian and the Educational Service District 123 to obtain a 21st Century grant. 

 

The Waitsburg 21st Century CLC will serve students from Kindergarten through 12th grade and their parents.  Although the program is targeted towards students who are not meeting the state standard in reading, math or writing, Waitsburg has decided to keep activities open to all students.  An advisory committee has been formed to provide input and review.  The committee consists of teachers and parents, Waitsburg Superintendent Robbie Johnson and local site coordinator Kathy Carpenter.

 

Program Goals and Activities

1)      Increase academic performance

·         After school homework assistance and tutoring

·         After school academic clubs and enrichment activities

·         Science, Tobacco and Youth workshops through ESD

·         Summer school and academic enrichment programs and camps

2)     Increase parental involvement in child’s learning and ability to serve as the child’s primary teacher.

·         Adult education classes through WWCC, offered on site

·         Strengthening Families Workshops through ESD

·         Parent education and family literacy classes offered on site

·         Family math and reading nights

·        Job readiness and career planning classes through WWCC, offered on site

3)     Reduce or prevent youth involvement in problem behavior.

·         Art, music and other enrichment camps to involve students in positive activities, such as Missoula Children’s Theater

·         Project Northland drug and alcohol prevention in middle school through ESD

·         On-site counseling and intervention services through Children’s Home Society and the ESD

·         Community service activities to promote volunteerism

4)    Promote involvement in postsecondary education and career planning.

·         Workshops to promote career planning, college preparation and financial aid

·         Develop and pilot a work based learning project that encourages entrepreneurial activity

 

The Waitsburg CLC is starting operation with a K-5 after-school program.  The program started on Monday, January 26th and currently has over 60 participants.  The advisory committee has prioritized the several next steps; a survey of adults regarding the services they would be most likely to use, followed by after-school activities for middle school students.  Surveys will be sent home to all Waitsburg School families.  In order to provide services that are meaningful to the families in Waitsburg, it is important that as many surveys be completed and returned as possible.

 

The elementary after-school program runs Monday through Thursday, from 2:40 to 5:30 PM.  The afternoon starts with one on one and small group reading and math activities and homework help.  Students who have joined the program primarily for the enrichment activities spend this time either outside or in the library on activities of their choice.  At 3:10 PM all students come back together for a snack in the multi-purpose room.  When they return to the library educational enrichment activities start.  This includes a variety of reading and math games, some board or folder games, some computer games.  An art, music or other enrichment activity will also occur.  During the first week the theme was Medieval times, ‘stained glass’ windows were made and a trip was taken to the Christian Church to see real stained glass windows.  Students also designed their own family crest and studied the meaning of heraldry.  On Thursday the students dropped in on the Blue Mountain Troublemakers during their weekly practice.  The Troublemakers played 3 songs and answered questions about their instruments.  The 21st Century kids were able to get up close looks at bluegrass and string instruments.  Students are encouraged to use the remainder of the time playing board games such as chess, checkers and backgammon.  In addition to the exercise of learning game strategies and the rules of the games, students have the opportunity to interact on a social level.

 

The elementary school after-school program will be growing and changing each week, but will look something like the first week.  The middle school and high school programs will have a different design to interest and attract students at higher levels.  The Waitsburg program has an additional component for an entrepreneurial project to be designed, managed and operated by high school students.  This project will again incorporate the talents of students with a variety of skills and abilities.  Middle school and High School programs will start in the near future. 

 

Summer will bring not only summer school, but an enrichment program with even more activities to stimulate developing minds and provide kids with a safe and fun summer.  This will include camps, field trips and recreation.  Some enrichment programs will depend on community members who have special skills and talents who are willing to share with the children. The 21st Century program allows enrichment activities to be either short term in duration or ongoing on a weekly basis, depending on the interest of the children and the availability of the instructors.  Anyone who is interested in helping or has questions is encouraged to contact Kathy Carpenter at the elementary school, 337-6131.