Rose Elementary students explore passions in new afterschool clubs
Rose Elementary School’s newly developed Exploratory Afterschool Programs have something for every student! Some of the exciting opportunities for Rose learners include building skills such as chess strategy, photo archiving, culinary planning, horticulture, and acrobatics.
That’s exactly what Principal Ryan Startz had envisioned when she asked both her Classified and Certificated educators to share their interests with students as part of the exploratory programming that takes place each day after school.
“We have tutoring at the end of the day, which is a great option for our students who need the extra interventions, but we wanted to also do things that students aren’t exposed to on a regular basis,” Startz shared. “And so having clubs like baking club, running club, garden club, puzzles, it appeals to kids everywhere and it’s also free programming that they are not often able to access.”
In only its first year, the student participation has been “massive,” with 151 of 474 students enrolled in one of the Rose afterschool clubs, according to Startz. “Knowing that there is something going on every single day of the week here that every child can be involved in is really phenomenal.”
One such student, third grader Kylaine Dacy, enjoys scrapbooking where she is creating “a page for family and friends and I’m going to use this (family) picture and pictures with all my friends,” said the 9-year-old. “I like that I get to do it with one of my best friends.”
Second grade educator Tiffany Solon decided to introduce scrapbooking to her students, especially since it was an activity she enjoyed starting in high school. “I feel like scrapbooking is a way for the kids to bring their own personalities and ideas and creativity into something with minimal guidelines. I wanted it to be a free, afterschool fun thing for them.”
From transitional kindergarten to sixth grade, and general education to extensive support needs (ESN), the afterschool enrichment programs accommodate all learners, such as the Baking Club that can cater to those who are gluten free or have a food allergy.
Principal’s Secretary Valerie Negrito, who co-leads the Baking Club with School Health Clerk Gina Hatfield, said: “What we found is a lot of our kids already partly cook or help at home and some just want to learn different dishes. … It’s two days per week, the first is our food prep day and then Friday we finish cooking and devour.”
Over at Chess Club, third graders Reyen Espiritu and Madison Mountz are having a friendly competition along with several other clubmates who are learning the nuances of the chess game.
“I signed up to learn how to play chess,” said Reyen. “I know how to play now. I think it’s a cool class.” Madison added that he learned how to play chess from his father.
Each club meets between 1-2 times per week for up to an hour. Principal Startz plans on fine-tuning the afterschool exploratory program schedule so even more students can sign up for next school year.
“I have built in a budget for next year to be able to continue the afterschool program,” she added. “I really appreciate the fact that with our clubs right now we are able to tailor them to all kids so there’s something for everybody.”