Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 15, 2006 STATEWIDE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN JEOPARDY

From the Southern Illinoisan...

Sesser-Valier after-school program in danger of being eliminated

BY JIM MUIR, THE SOUTHERN

SESSER - During the past 18 months students of all ages, sizes and shapes have flocked to the popular after-school "Teen Reach" program at Sesser-Valier School District.

However, if state funding is not soon found those students - sometimes 150 per day - will be without a place to go after school to receive tutoring and work on band, physical fitness activities and other outdoor events.

The S-V program is one of 36 downstate programs and 122 overall statewide that are in jeopardy because of a shortage of state funding. The program is funded through the Department of Human Resources and will cease operation at the end of December unless state officials find a revenue stream in the coming weeks.

Tom Green, a spokesperson with DHS, said on Monday that the total cost of all programs statewide totals more than $20 million. The S-V program has an annual price tag of $98,000. Other programs in Southern Illinois that are also in danger of losing funding includes Shawnee Health Services, in Carbondale, Reaching for Kids and Youth, in Metropolis, the Delta Center, in Cairo, Downstate Educational Assistance Corporation, in Anna and Teen Reach, in Egyptian.

"The goal is to improve academic performance, life skills and community involvement along with providing recreational, cultural and artistic activities," said Green. "Obviously, we think these programs are very important, that's why we committed the $20 million."

Green said DHS is currently working with office of Gov. Rod Blagojevich to find a revenue stream to keep the programs going another year. Green was asked if DHS officials are optimistic about an 11th hour reprieve.

"We're committed to try and find the funds," said Green. "The department has developed criteria for these programs that will have to be met in order to receive any more funding that is based on the qualifications of a Teen Reach program and also on the contractual obligations."

Green said the criteria includes whether or not the program was originally funded in fiscal year 2006, average daily attendance, enrollment requirements and if the program has a competitive price per student and if 60 percent of those involved are 12 or over. Green said if a program is scheduled to run out of funds and meets the requirements funding through the 2006-07 fiscal year will be provided.

Mark Mikulay, an instructor at the school, has headed up the program for the past two years. Mikulay said some students attend only one day per week, others three and some every day. The program runs from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily for students in second grade through 12th grade.

"We've had a tremendous response from our students," said Mikulay. "Some days we have as many as 150 but we average between 80 and 100 students daily. Our big thing is we work on reading and tutoring in all subjects. We also have arts and some sports, dance, life skills and we are working on a nature trail outside that is coming along real well. Overall, we just have a variety of things for students after school."

One of the things that Mikulay stressed was that many of these children will become what is commonly referred to as "latch-key kids" if the program ceases.

"There is no formal day care so these kids end up going home and basically being on their own until their parents get home," said Mikulay. "While some kids will go in the house, others are going to be roaming around the streets. It's a proven statistic that when most students get in trouble it's between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m."

Mikulay said the first year of the program was funded in full for the entire fiscal school year but for 2006-07 the program was only partially funded and will run out at the end of December.

"And it was at the very last minute that we got the partial funding," said Mikulay. "We didn't know until school started this year that we were going to get the funding to continue the program."

Jason Henry, superintendent of the S-V unit district, said the work that is accomplished daily at the after-school program pays dividends for students.

"These kids are here at school for academic tutoring and other activities where otherwise they're latch-key kids," said Henry. "But, we see the academic benefits in the classroom and that's the real key to the program."

Henry said without state funding the program will not be available when students return to class following the annual Christmas break.

"We're very appreciative of DHS and the funding that has been made available to run this program," said Henry. "But, we also recognize that if that funding runs out we will not be able to continue to run this program and that's a big loss for our students. As an example, our jazz band was birthed out of this program."

Henry also echoed the comments about the parallel between student trouble and the hours immediately after school is dismissed.

"That period from 3:15 until 5:15 is in some cases down time for students and we are concerned about that," said Henry. "We would love to be able to continue to operate the program because of that reason. But also, our students are doing a lot of good things during that time with kids taking pride in their school and the property."

Henry said those attending represent a "true cross-section" of all the students at the K-12 complex.

Jami Somers, of Sesser, said her daughter Britani, a second grade student, attends the program two days per week. Somers, a member of the school's PTO, stressed that the program is voluntary, which she says makes the attendance and enthusiasm even more impressive.

"I think academics are the big thing," said Somers. "They have a variety of activities on different days, music, tumbling, but the tutoring is very important. Some kids that are struggling are getting extra help and its making a difference. It would just be a real shame to see the program end."