An enrichment program started at Cerra Vista School last year has become a popular success among students at "next to no costs" due to parent and teacher volunteers, according to parent and PTO member Renee George.
The classes include chess, Spanish, flag football, "Art Attack," double-Dutch jump-roping and a leadership class for the current six-week courses. Classes vary according to what skills parents bring to each session. A full-time teacher who oversees discipline and other classroom issues also assists each volunteer.
"What happened," says George, "is I was thinking of starting a program with classes the kids don't normally get on the school yard, so I went to the principal and she said, 'I just went to a seminar on enrichment programs!'"
From there, George started contacting parents and was pleasantly surprised at what they had to offer.
"The more parents I talked to, the more skills I found," continues George, who adds that she finds it amazing to walk around after school seeing "kids playing chess, and football and learning Spanish."
Parents aren't the only ones that have stepped forward to teach courses for the enrichment program.
"Our Spanish class is led by one of our yard-duty supervisors, Gloria McConnell," vice-principal Kip Ward tells the Free Lance.
McConnell says that working yard duty gives her the chance to practice with her students outside the classroom.
"We speak in Spanish on the playground and they are able to keep up with the conversation," she says, adding, "It is such an interesting and fun thing to do for the students.
"During class, we have fun activities and conversations and games, and then I can test out their new skills the next day in the school yard."
Ward, who runs the flag football program as one of the program volunteers, says this program is a "way to open up areas to students that they don't have in the classroom" and adds that the additional stimulation the students receive gives them something to do after school.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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