Gathering around a table at E.L. Ross Elementary in Cleveland, Tenn., to make modeling clay from common kitchen ingredients are, from left, Raigan Davis, Allison McGinnis, Hunter Price, Adam Reavis and Jonathan Rowland. Instructor Sarah Sausville is at right.CLEVELAND, Tenn. – After School University begins when the Cleveland City Schools’ day ends.
Participating pupils at each elementary school can enjoy outdoor or indoor games, depending on the weather, some computer time, book-reading time and some creative arts. The creative side can be stimulated with anything from making your own modeling clay to making your own pancakes.
“First comes the homework,” said Michael Arena, site director for the program at E.L. Ross Elementary School. “We want them to have their homework done so when they go home they can have family time.”
It’s what Tamara Humphres, program director for the school system, calls a gift of learning wrapped up in fun. While the name describes the time period for the two-hour enrichment program, After School University also runs on most holidays, the spring and fall breaks and in summer.
Each elementary school averages about 20 pupils in the program. Classroom supervision comes mostly from college students who are studying to be teachers.