After-school programs begin
By Donnie A. Lucas
Students who are needing extra help can attend one of three after-school programs offered at Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Jr./Sr. High campus.
All students in grades 7-12 can attend Lion Academy on Tuesday through Thursday 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 start at the beginning of the second six weeks grading period on Oct. 2 at the grade school for third and fourth graders, according to principal John Gallagher.
“We started Cub Academy this week 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 programs 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 during four sessions over the three-day period of Tuesday through Thursday, which is a change from previous years.
“We surveyed the teachers in grades 7-12 to determine what they felt were the best times to offer the extra help,” program director Jenci Chambers said. “We are adding a Tuesday morning slot to see if that will help students who aren’t able to attend in the afternoons due to athletics or work.”
The schedule this year will be on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m., and again on Tuesday afternoons from 3:45 p.m. until 6:45 p.m.
The times on both Wednesday and Thursday will be 3:45 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.
“We will see if students will take advantage of the morning session on Tuesdays, but there could be a change later in the semester,” Chambers said. “We may also change the days and times later for the afternoons based on sports seasons.”
The sessions are manned by core curriculum teachers to provide assistance from making up missing work, studying for or taking tests or 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.
Campus rules apply even though the program is held after regular school hours, prohibiting the use of cell phones or other electronic devices.
Computers can be used for research and assignments only.
Students attending Lion Academy to take tests are required to turn in cell phones, and backpacks must not be accessible while taking tests.
Water is permitted, but other 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 Oct. 2, according to Gallagher. He said he is still determining which teacher will conduct the program.
Instruction for third and fourth graders will be from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday at the grade school.
Other paraprofessional staff members may 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.
