Middle School Learning Center

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS EXPANDING

Published March 29, 2008
by Liz Stinson
Omaha World Herald Staff Writer
Omaha middle school students will have two more options when it comes to choosing after-school activities next year.

Mayor Mike Fahey announced Wednesday that King and Monroe Middle Schools will be added to the list of four middle schools in the Omaha Public Schools that already have after-school programs. The addition of the two schools is a part of the Middle School Learning Center initiative that the Mayor's Office piloted during the past school year at Marrs, Norris, Morton and McMillan.

Fahey said it costs about $130,000 per school per year to offer the programs.

"We're taking it slow," he said. "We have four, we'll have two more next year, and we'll see how it goes."

Fahey and Building Bright Futures' executive director, John Cavanaugh, spoke Wednesday to a group of more than 80 afterschool providers from about 35 organizations about the importance of integrating academic content into the programs.

Building Bright Futures is a private program that aims to send low-income students in Douglas and Sarpy Counties to college by providing them scholarships after they graduate. Cavanaugh said that the success of Building Bright Futures is closely tied to the success of after-school programs.

"After school is absolutely vital to changing academic outcomes," he said. "It's apparent that we have these children for three or four hours, and they are all in need of additional academic support in order to succeed."

After-school care providers from Omaha, Council Bluffs and Lincoln came to a free training session in Omaha to hear speakers on ways to academically engage students who often are tired of schoolwork by the end of the day.

The Mayor's Office has offered training sessions each month since the beginning of 2008 and intends to continue its education for providers.

Carey Callingham, supervisor of the after-school program at Dawes Middle School in Lincoln, traveled with a group of fellow Lincoln providers. He said one of the bigger challenges he faces with his after-school program is showing the students that learning doesn't always mean boring and that it is possible to have fun while being productive.

"Our goal is not just to extend the school day but to enhance it," he said. "The thing we talked about for a while is that we're in a position where we can empower the students in the decision-making process, and we should use that to help them discover that they can learn something by doing something they enjoy."

Fahey said that an important aspect of the after-school programs is to keep students safe and out of trouble after the bell rings, but he has learned through involvement with Building Bright Futures that providers also have the opportunity to continue the education that is started during the school day.

"It's no news to anyone here, but we know that education just doesn't begin at 5 years old and end at 18 years old," he said. "It's much more complicated than that, and after-school programs are just one part of that."

	Photo Gallery AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS EXPANDING King and Monroe are joining four other OPS middle schools in offering the service. Published March 29, 2008 by Liz Stinson Omaha World Herald Staff Writer Omaha middle school students will have two more options when it comes to choosing after-school activities next year. Mayor Mike Fahey announced Wednesday that King and Monroe Middle Schools will be added to the list of four middle schools in the Omaha Public Schools that already have after-school programs. The addition of the two schools is a part of the Middle School Learning Center initiative that the Mayor's Office piloted during the past school year at Marrs, Norris, Morton and McMillan. Fahey said it costs about $130,000 per school per year to offer the programs. "We're taking it slow," he said. "We have four, we'll have two more next year, and we'll see how it goes." Fahey and Building Bright Futures' executive director, John Cavanaugh, spoke Wednesday to a group of more than 80 afterschool providers from about 35 organizations about the importance of integrating academic content into the programs. Building Bright Futures is a private program that aims to send low-income students in Douglas and Sarpy Counties to college by providing them scholarships after they graduate. Cavanaugh said that the success of Building Bright Futures is closely tied to the success of after-school programs. "After school is absolutely vital to changing academic outcomes," he said. "It's apparent that we have these children for three or four hours, and they are all in need of additional academic support in order to succeed." After-school care providers from Omaha, Council Bluffs and Lincoln came to a free training session in Omaha to hear speakers on ways to academically engage students who often are tired of schoolwork by the end of the day. The Mayor's Office has offered training sessions each month since the beginning of 2008 and intends to continue its education for providers. Carey Callingham, supervisor of the after-school program at Dawes Middle School in Lincoln, traveled with a group of fellow Lincoln providers. He said one of the bigger challenges he faces with his after-school program is showing the students that learning doesn't always mean boring and that it is possible to have fun while being productive. "Our goal is not just to extend the school day but to enhance it," he said. "The thing we talked about for a while is that we're in a position where we can empower the students in the decision-making process, and we should use that to help them discover that they can learn something by doing something they enjoy." Fahey said that an important aspect of the after-school programs is to keep students safe and out of trouble after the bell rings, but he has learned through involvement with Building Bright Futures that providers also have the opportunity to continue the education that is started during the school day. "It's no news to anyone here, but we know that education just doesn't begin at 5 years old and end at 18 years old," he said. "It's much more complicated than that, and after-school programs are just one part of that."