After School Programs Provide Enrichment

Jamestown Public Schools is lucky to have after school programming at all elementary schools and at Jefferson and Washington Middle Schools.

The after school programs help our youth tremendously,” said Sierra Cross, Love Terrific Kids After School Coordinator. “Within my program, I have had the pleasure of seeing youth grow not only academically but also personally. It’s exciting to us to see the light in a child’s eyes when they’ve realized they’ve grown! Being an outsider and looking in at how these programs impact our youth here in Jamestown, I’ve seen that it’s a critical need. We’re providing youth with so many unique opportunities and experiences. Lastly, we’re just another helping hand to these students on the pathway to success.”after school activity programmes

At the elementary schools, the YMCA runs Ring Outstanding Kids (ROK) Club and the Love Terrific Kids (LTK) Club. The programs are open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. This year they will be offering tutoring from Chautauqua Striders, Girl Scouts of Western New York, community service projects, STEM and STEAM activities, literacy learning, math games, history, social/emotional activities, physical fitness, cultural and family tree activities, culinary skills and team-building games.

“It is important for kids to have a safe, accepting and stimulating environment in which they can learn and play,” said Gina Bloomquist, YWCA School Age and Family Director. “We strive to provide activities that enhance the development of a child’s social, physical, and academic skills and also incorporating the YMCA’s character values of honesty, respectful, caring and responsibility in all our daily activities. It’s important for the kids in our community to have opportunities to build positive relationships with adults who serve as positive role models and provide these children with quality enrichment activities in a structured supervised setting to help them develop to their fullest potential.”

Project LINC at Lincoln Elementary School is sponsored by Jamestown Community Learning Council and supported by local foundations. The program is offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tons of great activities are offered including: snack and social time, computers, physical education, arts and crafts, homework and tutoring and activities with Infinity Performing and Visual Arts, CASAC, Girl Scouts and many community service projects.

“The program is for parents to know that their children are safe and well taken care of during the after school hours,” said Cheryl Stone, Project LINC Coordinator. “We treat each and every child like they’re our own. The LINC staff and school staff all work together to make the children’s after school experience positive.”

The Bush, Fletcher, Jefferson and Washington Advantage After School Programs are run by the YWCA and are also open from 3 to 6 p.m.

The programs offer activities such as: STEM activities, gym games, karate, computers, Junior Achievement, Families of the World, arts and crafts, Chautauqua Striders tutoring, Book Club, Writers Club, Drama, Newspaper Club, Build-It Club, Photography, Trivia Club and Speedometry.

“The after school programs are a critical component of the overall education and character development of each child in Jamestown,” said Shane Monroe, Director of After School Programming for the YWCA. “The after school programs offer unique opportunities for children to experience a wide variety of curriculum, content, and experiences that may not be available during the school day. Additionally, the programs offer a safe and engaging environment everyday for the children of Jamestown.”