After-school programs begin
By Donnie A. Lucas
Students who are needing extra help are now able to attend one of three after-school programs offered at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.
All students in grades 7-12 can attend Lion Academy on Monday through Wednesday this year, while fifth and sixth graders can stay after school on Monday through Thursday for Cub Academy.
While it hasn’t started up yet, the local ASPIRE program sponsored by ResourceCare will get going soon at the grade school for third and fourth graders, according to principal John Gallagher.
“We started Cub Academy a couple of weeks ago for the fifth and sixth graders who need extra help with assignments, make-up work, or reviewing for tests,” Gallagher said. “Students are welcome to stay from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday to get assistance with anything that makes them more successful.”
The program is provided by the four fifth and sixth grade teachers who alternate days to offer help covering all four core academic areas.
“Participation in Cub Academy and the Aspire program is voluntary,” Gallagher said. “We are trying to encourage students who may need help with assignments, tests or tutoring.”
Lion Academy
At the secondary level, Lion Academy is providing help from 3:45 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and from 3:45 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
The sessions are manned by core curriculum teachers to provide assistance ranging from making up missing work, studying for or taking tests, to helping with current assignments.
Teachers must send assignments ahead of time to Lion Academy for students to work on.
Students are required to sign in and out when attending, and once their work is completed, they need to leave the campus.
“We are not offering Lion Academy on Thursdays this semester,” principal Glen Hill said. “We have had a hard time getting enough teachers due to some conflicts, especially on Thursdays because of activities like JV and junior high football games. We will be switching from Tuesdays to Thursdays for the winter and spring.”
Campus rules apply even though the program is held after regular school hours, prohibiting the use of cell phones or other electronic devises.
“Computers can be used for research and assignments only,” Hill said. “These are study sessions and not a time to socialize or play games on phones or computers.”
Students attending Lion Academy to take tests are required to turn in cell phones, and backpacks must not be accessible while taking the test.
Water is permitted, but food and drinks are not allowed in the library where the sessions are held.
Lion Academy is not used for disciplinary purposes, so students should only attend if they are ready to be productive.
Aspire Begins
The ASPIRE program will begin in the next couple of weeks, with teacher Nickie Leveridge leading instruction for third and fourth graders from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday at the grade school.
Other paraprofessional staff members will also assist with the program as needed.
As with the other two study programs, students can receive help doing homework, making up work, or studying for tests.
Funding for ASPIRE is provided by ResourceCare.
