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Tuesday, October 02, 2001

Albert Lea Area Schools put a human face Monday on a new $1.68 million grant for after-school programming.

When the district learned it had landed the federal funding early last summer, the district set about the challenge of hiring people to make the programs happen. Those people were introduced at the school board meeting along with the name of the new program: 21st Century Open Arms.

&uot;Going in, we knew this grant would give us the opportunity to get some good education people working on these after-school opportunities,&uot; said Curriculum Director Judy Knudtson. &uot;We’ve managed to do that in a relatively short period of time.&uot;

According to Terry Gjersvik, coordinator for the program, 21st Century Open Arms will use the grant money over the next three years to firmly establish Targeted Services and other after school programs so that they are self sustaining when the grant expires.

A large portion of the grant is designated to hire and train site coordinators for each elementary building plus Southwest Middle School. So far, only Sibley remains without a coordinator.

The program will focus on the three-hour period after school during which many kids are unsupervised and in danger of engaging in risky behaviors. Instead, kids are invited to enroll in the supervised program which offers supplemental learning opportunities, a nutritious snack, help with homework, games and other activities. Academically, the program includes curriculum for music, drama, technology and environment.

&uot;The program supports the idea of ‘lights on after school,’ meaning our schools are important places for kids after the school bell has rung,&uot; Gjersvik said.

The program has already caught on in some of the schools. Lakeview has about 120 students enrolled, and Halverson has programs in three grade levels. The challenge in all the schools is to find teachers and para educators willing to put in longer days.

Gjersvik said coordination with Albert Lea Bus Company and existing after-school programs run by the YMCA is essential to make the program work.

&uot;Working with our community partners is an important component to 21st Century Open Arms,&uot; he said. &uot;We need their help, and we should continue to welcome them into our schools.&uot;

The site coordinators introduced at the meeting are: Marla Herbranson at Halvorson, Shari Fleek at Hawthorne, Val Forsythe and Sharon Esch at Lakeview and Sara Kirsch and Linda Willaby at Southwest.

Gjersvik and the site coordinators will be available to the public during an open house at Brookside Education Center Oct. 11.

&uot;I really appreciate what you’re doing,&uot; Superintendent Dr. David Prescott told the new site coordinators. &uot;You are blazing a trail for us and showing our commitment to after-school programming.&uot;