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Grant Creates CMS Program The Chillicothe R-2 School District will receive almost $80,000 over the next two and a half years to fund an academically-focused after school program for sixth and seventh grade students. According to R-2 grant writer Nancy Elliott, the School Age Community grant will fund a three-year program with the district receiving nearly $20,000 for the remainder of this year (through summer school) and $30,000 for each of the following two years. The after school program will start Monday, March 2. “We have an early dismissal on Monday and we want to be able to have the (sixth and seventh grade) students take advantage of the program that day,” Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith said. The program will be funded through the Child Care Development Fund and money is distributed to Missouri Department of Social Services and administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Elliott, who is also a former middle school teacher, says the after school program will reap benefits for the students enrolled — especially those who may need extra help in their studies. “This is just the age group where parents begin to think that their kids can stay alone, but many (students) still need supervision and extra help, so we think this will be very good for them,” Elliott said. The Chillicothe After School Care program, Elliott says, will provide a wide array of opportunities for students in the sixth and seventh grades. The program will be held in the Chillicothe Middle School’s east wing and will be free to students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. The fee will be $25 a week for other students. Elliott says the program will run from after school until 6 p.m., but students may be picked up as their parents finish work and head home. The after school program will also cover early out days with supervision from noon until 6 p.m., and will continue through summer school from 3 until 6 p.m. During the after school program, Elliott said, students will have time for physical recreation, snacks, homework, tutoring, silent and oral reading, crafts, and hands-on enrichment classes. Instruction in tolerance, anger management, time management and organization, study skills, drug and substance abuse avoidance, and character education will be included in the instruction. “This will be more of a structured after school club that will extend and enhance the students’ learning,” Elliott said. To staff the after school program, the district has hired two certified co-directors — CMS instructors Mindy Swartz and Rachel Moore; a certified tutor — Stephanie Affield; and will hire a non-certified assistant who will oversee physical education time and snacks. After School Fun at CMS
C-T Photo/Laura Schuler |
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The Chillicothe After School Care program has begun and some of the students enrolled were enjoying a game in the school cafeteria with direction from teachers Mindy Swartz (center), and Chelsea Cox (right) yesterday (Wednesday). The program began on Monday and so far, there are 11 students enrolled and there are still openings. The program is being funded by an $80,000 grant. Pictured are, from left: Shelby Stevens, Brianna Eckert, teacher Mindy Swartz, Emmy King, Chelsea Cox, teacher.