Jaffrey Rindge Extended Day Program 21st Century Community Learning Center Where We Came From • • • In 2010 a group of concerned citizens which included town officials, educators, parents and clergy met to discuss a growing problem of after school care or lack of it. The Public Library was a daily “hang out” for both elementary and middle school students who were latch key kids with out after school direction. Most of the students were well behaved but the growing numbers were disrupting library services and were intimidating to some community members. The Jaffrey Police Department worked with library personnel to develop a plan to meet the needs of both children and community. From this discussion a “steering committee” was formed. This committee, a group of concerned citizens from local government, schools, local support agencies and parents, looked to the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant program for afterschool. Feedback from the Community allowed the Committee to focus on what school and parents thought about an afterschool program • Initial School Staff and parent surveys focused on these areas • Areas thought most beneficial: Problem solving, Social skills, Cooperation • Percentage of parents responses stating these areas of an afterschool program were important and was what they wanted in their child’s afterschool experience • Positive Environment : 71 % • Extra practice (math, reading, science): 54% • Fun: 55% • Homework help: 35% • Be Active: 60% Where We Are • Programming at JGS, JRMS and Rindge Recreation. • Partner with Rindge Recreation and Jaffrey Recreation Departments to support programming during summer. • At present approximately 120-150 students participate in the EDP daily. • All Programs: • Provide healthy snacks every day • Have homework support as part of the daily schedule • Club activities • JGS and RMS/Rindge Recreation offer both a before and after school option • • • • • • • • During 2012, the JREDP Advisory Committee worked with the State NH DOE to come up with a strategic plan to refocus and move the program forward. A mission statement and bylaws were established. A new program staffing matrix was developed and adopted. The JREDP Advisory Board continues to meet to support the program and its staff. The Rindge Recreation program is subcontracted to run the RMS EDP. Connections are being developed with community and school to create support for enrichment activities. This past year Jaffrey Grade School was honored by Franklin Pierce University for their partnership in afterschool volunteerism. JREDP and afterschool co-curricular clubs and sports at JRMS are partnering to provide a more integrated experience. JGS Co-curricular Homework Club and JREDP Homework Club are partnering. Our first JREDP supported club at RMS was established this Fall. Enrichment clubs are connecting to the CCSS and STEM activities. Trainings are being provided to staff in support of attaining their afterschool credentials. New Hampshire After School • In New Hampshire, 6% of Elementary School children, 35% of Middle School children and 63% of High School children are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. • Of all New Hampshire children not currently enrolled in afterschool, 32% (60,735) would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program were available in their community. • 16% (35,081) of New Hampshire's K-12 children participate in afterschool programs, including 5,298 kids in programs supported by the U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, the only federal program dedicated to afterschool. • 87% of parents in New Hampshire are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends. • A statewide evaluation of New Hampshire’s 21st CCLCs found that program participants showed improvements in their academic performance during the school day. Teachers reported that 64 percent of student participants were more successful in finishing their homework and 60 percent increased their level of class participation. Ninety-eight percent of principals reported that 21st CCLCs improve students’ attitudes toward school and 93 percent believe the programs boost students’ motivation to learn. (Policy Studies Associates, Inc., 2012) • If the 21st CCLC initiative were funded at the fully authorized level, the New Hampshire share would be $12,249,999 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The current amount appropriated is $5,643,199. What after school means for our children and community. Studies show that programs which focus on the ABC’s Attendance, Behavior and Course Performance An analysis of 68 studies of afterschool programs showed that participating students attended school more regularly, showed improved behavior and received higher grades. A study of 3000 low income, ethnically diverse students enrolled in high-quality afterschool programs displayed a reduction in aggressive behavior with peers and in risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use. A separate analysis of 35 out-of-school-time studies funded by the Department of Education found that students at risk of failure in reading and math who participated in afterschool programs had positive results on reading achievement in lower elementary grades, and positive effects on math achievement in middle and high school. Moving Forward – Program development • • Work to enhance academics, life skills and enrichment opportunities with both school and community Create a community advisory groups consisting of administrators, staff and parents to support the work of the program director and staff – Educational resources • Work to develop a structure to support children with challenges – Fiscal Responsibility • • • Develop 501c3 status Research grant and endowment funding Bring to voters a request for a Special Revolving Account line in the JRCSD budget to support the work of JREDP Thank you Kathleen Batchelder, JREDP Director 1 Conant Way Jaffrey NH 03452 k.batchelder@sau47.org 532-8122 x 349 Jaffrey Rindge Extended Day Program 21st Century Community Learning Center