When the regular school day ends, Suring Elementary students can choose to extend their day by attending the in-house Community Learning Center (CLC).
Suring’s CLC operates under a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The program is designed to offer academic assistance and enrichment to students who attend a school at which a minimum of 40 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. At Suring School, 60 percent of students in kindergarten to eighth grade qualify for free and reduced meals.
Suring’s CLC for the 2014-15 school year is divided into five blocks of six weeks each. The first block started Sept. 22, and 79 students attended this session. Students are now participating in the third block; the fourth block starts Feb. 16. Programming will conclude on or about May 14.
“The students seem to really enjoy their time in the after-school program and are eager to see what will be offered in the next session,” said Amy Kasten, Suring School curriculum director and CLC director.
“I think the after-school program is a lot of fun because of all the choices,” sixth-grade student Carrie Griffin said. “I really like making friendship bracelets.”
For each six-week block, students use forms available at the school office to register for classes. Students may choose a different activity for each day of the week, and then they participate in that activity on that day each week for six weeks.
Students start with a healthy snack after school, and then it’s time to get to work. The first hour is designed to offer homework assistance and tutoring. Students not requiring remedial help spend time on Moby Max, a computer program designed to improve reading and math skills.
During the second hour, students participate in a variety of enrichment activities offered by teachers and representatives from outside agencies. The CLC also employs high school students as tutors and helpers.
Kasten is responsible for grant writing, managing the budget and monitoring the grant requirements.
Tonia Kruschke, reading specialist at Suring School, is the CLC coordinator who manages registration and the day-to-day schedule.
A wide range of classes is offered during the enrichment hour, including yoga, board games, winter survival and fishing, an assortment of reading-focused classes and sports activities.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College provided a babysitting clinic, and the Menominee Indian Tribe is offering a class about the environment. The Suring Public Library offers storytelling during each session.
As part of the grant, the school’s weight room is open after school for students of all ages and community residents.
The CLC provides a safe environment for students during the after-school hours. At the end of the session, bus transportation is provided to six drop-off centers throughout the district.
During its first year, Suring’s CLC has an $80,000 budget. The grant will continue for five years if the school meets the grant requirements, with the amount increasing to $100,000 for the 2015-16 school year. To be viable, the CLC needs a minimum of 65 students from kindergarten through grade eight to participate, and the center must operate for 115 days.
Kasten said the school recently completed assessments to determine if the participating students improved their reading or math skills as compared to students who did not participate.
“After we review that data, it will help guide us in our programming,” she said.
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