Program empowers local youth

Julie Severn

4/29/2002 12:00:00 AM

Tribal students have the opportunity this summer to participate in an educational and recreational program with other area youth.

The Partners Empowering All Kids (PEAK) summer curriculum is scheduled for June 26 to Aug. 2. The program, which was designed to keep children safe and improve academic achievement, will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"This isn't your typical summer school," said Marty Malcolm, Mary McGuire Elementary PEAK Site Coordinator. "This opportunity will give average students the chance to excel and have fun with other kids their own age over the summer."

Enrollment for the six�week program for kindergarten to sixth grade is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 150 children at each PEAK site. The summer registration deadline is May 12. To enroll in the program, contact Nate Lockwood at Isabella County Parks and Recreation at 779-5336 before the May 12 deadline.

Registration for Mt. Pleasant Public School students is $25 for the summer. Other youth within the district will pay a $45 fee. Malcolm said transportation will be provided for children who sign up for all six weeks.

The summer elementary PEAK sites will run at Rosebush, Ganiard, Pullen and Mary McGuire.

Malcolm said the six�week summer program will be broke down into two�week themes; survival camp, math and science, and arts and theatre.

Certified teachers will conduct class during the first three hours and afternoon activities will be recreational.

PEAK has been in operation at the Mt. Pleasant Elementary since August and is currently operating at West Intermediate, Mt. Pleasant High School and Mt. Pleasant Community Education as an after-school program.

"The idea is to keep school buildings open during the hours after school when juvenile crime rates are highest, to give kids a safe, fun, enriching place to hang out," said PEAK Director Mary Murphy. "The fact that the after school program is free makes it more valuable to families in the community."

Since August enrollment at the elementary centers has topped 600 youth, several of whom are Tribal students Murphy noted.

"It's fun," said Alicia Jeffery, a 12-year-old Tribal student at Mary McGuire. "I like the fact that I'm not stuck at home all the time."

"Students get individual help with homework and other academic instruction," stated Murphy. "They also have the opportunity to explore new interests through a wide variety of enrichment activities."

Students go to the cafeteria after school for a snack then have a chance to finish homework or read during academic time, which is from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. Tribal advocate tutors are available to work with Native students on scheduled days.

"I like the help that they give us," said 12-year-old Steven Phillips about the tutoring sessions. "I also like the recreational part, but it's nice to get my homework out of the way."

Murphy said the program is an asset to parents, since they don't have to worry about the students completing homework after school while they tend to household duties.

"Several parents feel the program has improved the quality of their home life," she added. "There's no fighting over homework, so the families really enjoy the free time spent together."

After the academic session, children filter into different classrooms for 45 minutes of enrichment time.

Local advisory committees at each building decide which activities are offered based on input from students, parents and teachers. Students choose from a variety of classes including fitness, drama, cooking, science experiments, French, sports, movie-making or exploring cultures.

"It's a fun program," stated fifth grader Kyle Owl. "I like the cool sessions that they have, baking is my favorite. We made some really good bread."

Murphy said a majority of the kids attend five days a week. They must stay for the academic portion of the session and then parents may pick them up, but she said most of the students want to stay for the whole period.

Monday and Wednesday are reserved for arts and crafts as well as indoor sports. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are for outdoor sports and drama.

"Fridays are fun days," Malcolm said. "The students get to go on field trips or do special activities such as bowling or roller skating. They must attend two week days in order to participate."

Malcolm said the partnership between Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation will be important in coordinating and developing these special events this summer.

PEAK is funded through a grant from the Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center program.

"This is an awesome grant that provides an opportunity of a lifetime for the kids," said Malcolm. "We need to focus on sustaining this curriculum."

Murphy said MPPS received $5.1 million to fund the program for three years.

"Federal funding for after school programs skyrocketed from $1 million in 1997 to $454 million last year," she stated. "Needless to say, with 78 percent of moms of school age children in the workforce, millions of kids are on their own between 3 and 6 p.m., the hours youth are most likely to commit crimes or be victimized by it."

Malcolm said the program was inspired by a Grand Rapids curriculum.

"It's amazing to look back over this first year and see just how far we've come," Malcolm added." The overwhelming support has made this program extremely successful and very unique right down to providing student transportation."

Malcolm said the program has a one to 10 staff to student ratio with several high school and Central Michigan University student helpers.

"We have a very low turn over rate, so the familiar faces are a good consistency for the kids," he added. "Several of our CMU students are seeking education or recreation majors. We currently have about 70 college students participating and only need 19 new staff for the summer program.

"Our goal is to educate and inspire the students while providing them with a safe, fun environment. I am confident that we are doing exactly that. The students really enjoy the program."