>> Thousands of kids across our area are back in school but for many students, some
of the toughest challenges,
they face are outside the
classroom. I’m struggling with
hunger to battling academic or
social obstacles.
Many are in situations that can
put them at risk of dropping
out of school without proper
support. So here to talk about
how after-school programs and
extracurricular activities can
benefit at risk students.
Brian Jones, the director of
communities and schools after
school division. You have such
an important job
you know it’s heartbreaking to
know. But when the when the
bell rings, these children are
having to face the harsh
reality. But that’s where you
guys step and it can help to
talk about why these after
school programs are so
important.
>> These after school programs
are important because the in
about one of 5 students they
they are
without supervision and during
that time you see a lot of
juvenile crimes in and kids
getting into a lot of missteps.
The importance of the program
is just to get into the
schools. That kids know that
there are other opportunities
and also just provide a good
role model get them to connect
with their friends.
>> You know they’re getting
into trouble, it’s really kind
of like a cry for help they’re
looking for something to be a
part of fighting something to
identify
with him. Joining a group after
school whether it’s a sport or
program. Talk about how that
can really give them like that
sense of family.
>> What communities schools.
We just want to build the whole
job. We look at.
Providing divers activities a
coach or a coach or enriching
activities. We also looked for
them to to
Bill connections their peers
and I as well as the role
models that are working models
meaning the staff, the
teachers. We just want to get
opportunities for them to get.
Better in the academics, we
want them to see that if their
support in the schools.
We support them we believe in
them and we care for them to do
better and what they did.
>> Have you seen a difference
being made and children that
are in these after school
program.
>> Yes, ma’am I have I’ve
worked in schools with the
community schools are now 10
years, I’ve seen kids that have
been shot and opened up
and those the things that you
want to see those are the
rewards that we want to take
from it. Those are the things
that we want to see the kids do
from from now so going into the
future lies. >> How can kids get involved if if they’re watching this with
their parents are watching this
and are thinking
gosh I need to get my kid in a
program like this instead of
just coming home and waiting
for me to get off work or
whatever the scenario.
>> Information for community
schools can be found at www
best the I s jacks the or we
have the sites or the schools
that we are serving.
Right now we’re wearing over 22
schools. We’ve been doing this
for about a 20 year started back in as I say we see money or.
A community type thing to go
into schools and to work with
the kids and justice tell them
that we have opportunities for
them to do.
Yes we have to do academic work
but at the end of the day we
want to get something in
there fine. To let the parents
know we always welcome parent
volunteer work. You can come
and work which a student
because as soon as they come in
and see that mom or dad are
there they support what they’re
doing the kids will be more
involved and we’re talking
about of that.
>> The top of the show that
some of these kids are
facing hunger may leave and I
that it just upsets me so much
to think that the kids reality,
yes, you guys also provides
some food as well and that
coverage of at that at the
beginning of the program we
provide him
with snake they come in you
know just get a little simple
snack. The some Graham crackers
some milk or something.
>> Just to get their mind going
because they like I said we’re
going to
academic hour and then from the
academic our day due to their
activities and then it coming
to an enriching activities and
then after that we provide them
with a hot meal
because we understand that some
some pairs might not have to do
when they get home, so we just
try to make sure that we can
provide it anyway. Be a service
to the community
and help. Helping out. Yeah we
want that to be the last word.
Yes, never sure.
>> I’m last question here ages
what type just can get in this
program is it you know
elementary school through high
school or is it with.
>> Right now we are serving a
kindergarten. The 5th in
elementary about of course 6 to
8 and our middle scrape.
We would love for it to open
up to the high and do some work
with the high school kids get
that ended today.
It starts from when they’re
expand into they go get ready
to go to college and do their