Arts, critical thinking stay busy after school.Byline: Paula PAULA Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age J. Owen FITCHBURG - The city's 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school program is promoting self-expression, critical thinking and problem-solving skills for more than 360 kids at six different sites. Jennifer L. Jones, director of arts and after-school programs in the Fitchburg School District, gave the Fitchburg School Committee a presentation on the program at this week's meeting. Any child eligible for Title 1 in the city is eligible to attend the after-school program, she said, including children going to private parochial schools parochial school (pərō`kēəl), school supported by a religious body. In the United States such schools are maintained by a number of religious groups, including Lutherans, Seventh-day Adventists, Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and . The federally funded program is offered for 12 weeks in the schools. Last year, 452 children used the program for an average of 204 hours each over the year, Ms. Jones said. The majority - 60 percent - are from low-income families and 20 percent are in the district's special education program. Staffing the program costs $60,000 to $80,000, she said, and another $67,000 for busing. The programs are high-quality with small class sizes and are led by certified teachers A certified teacher is a teacher who has earned credentials from an authoritative source, such as the government, a higher education institution or a private source. These certifications allow teachers to teach in schools which require authorization in general, as well as allowing with local artists coming in for activities, said Ms. Jones. The program received $432,000 in federal money in this budget cycle and $27,000 in state money, she said. Funding has been reduced the last few years, but the program has expanded to other schools since it started in 2004, she added. However, costs are kept low for families. On average, families pay about $75 a week for child care, Ms. Jones said, but the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program in Fitchburg charges families only $75 for the entire 12-week program. That fee is waived for 40 percent of the students, she said, and most of the other families pay a reduced fee. Homework assistance and hands-on activities are provided, she said. Local talent and talent within the district is used, she said. One teacher who is an avid AVID Cardiology A clinical trial–Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators that compared the effect of implantable defibrillators vs the best medical therapy–antiarrhythmics for survivors of MI or those with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia roller roller, common name for brightly colored Old World birds noted for performing somersaults in flight. They include the rollers proper (subfamily Coraciinae) and ground rollers (subfamily Brachypteraciinae skater is providing children with roller-skating instruction. Activities offered to children include Scrabble Scrabble Game in which two to four players compete in forming words with lettered wooden tiles on a 225-square board. Words spelled out by letters on the tiles interlock like words in a crossword puzzle. Words are scored by adding up the point values of their letters. challenges, chess instruction, free play with musical instruments, crafts, computer activities and step dancing Noun 1. step dancing - dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures hoofing dancing, terpsichore, dance, saltation - taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music . Children also are learning how to take and manipulate manipulate To cause a security to sell at an artificial price. Although investment bankers are permitted to manipulate temporarily the stock they underwrite, most other forms of manipulation are illegal. digital photos. "In every classroom there is something happening," she said. "That's our mission - to provide challenging, project-based, hands-on activities that are linked to the school day." |
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