My name is Deb Winter and I am the Director of Warrior Up Kids Club Afterschool Program. We are an after-school program that works with students from Kindergarten-8th grade. There is no charge to our families. Your donation will pay for the tutors/homework helpers, food, STEM supplies, school supplies, and food. When the students arrive after school, there is a healthy snack for them, after which we talk about the 4 R's, being Respectful, Responsible, Reliable and Ready. Some of the topics we discuss are bullying, kindness, empathy, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. The students can also earn points for improved grades, helping others, or being kind. These points are used in our Rewards Store to purchase donated items such as school supplies, toys, art supplies, games and STEM items. The students then break up by grades and go to their classrooms for tutoring and/or homework help. After Covid, the test scores of students in math and reading have dropped dramatically. When homework is finished the students have the opportunity to work on STEM projects, science experiments, and life skills such as cooking, gardening, woodworking, and art projects. The students also exercise in a fun way, such as dancing or marching to educational videos. Afterschool programs are beneficial because: 1. They help students achieve better test scores. Participation in after-school programs has been shown to improve academic performance, reduce behavioral problems, and increase graduation rates. 2. Improved school attendance. When students have a place to go after school where they can get help with their homework, they are more likely to attend school and perform well in their classes. Seeing other kids working on school projects, reading, and doing fun learning games encourages participation. 3. Keeping kids safe. According to a recent study, after-school programs help keep kids safe. The study, which was conducted by the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development, found that kids who participated in after-school programs were less likely to be involved in crime or other risky behaviors. In America, kids and teens under 18 are most likely to get in trouble between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays and in the summer months when they aren’t in school, 4. Exploration of diverse interests. After-school programs provide a chance for kids to explore their interests outside of the traditional school day. These programs can provide a safe and supervised environment for students to explore their interests to learn and grow. Youth need opportunities to try new things and find out what they’re passionate about, outside of the rigors of the classroom. These programs can provide a much-needed sense of community for kids who may not have that at home or in their neighborhood. Kids feel connected to something larger than themselves and develop a sense of belonging. 5. Building life and social skills. Structured and unstructured programs can also help students develop social, emotional and life skills. Research has shown that after-school programs can help kids experience positive teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Additionally, after-school programs can also help kids learn how to manage their emotions, time, set goals, and stay on track. These skills are important not only at home, in school but at future workplaces. 6. Working parent's peace of mind. Many working parents worry about what their child and siblings are doing after school. Are they doing their homework? Are they getting into trouble? Watching too much TV? Are they hanging out with the right crowd? Our program is funded through donations and grants. The number of students we serve has doubled each year for the last 3 years. We feel that this is a very important and needed service for our families. We partner with Eastern Pulaski Schools, Purdue Extension, Pulaski Co. Human Services, and Four County Counseling. All of our staff has had a background check.
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