Through a partnership between the Mahomet Area Youth Club (MAYC) and the Mahomet-Seymour School District, after-school enrichment programming is now available at Sangamon and Lincoln Trail Elementary.
The first session of Bulldogs Learning and Succeeding Together (B.L.A.S.T.) will begin Sept. 23.
Over the last three weeks, Program Coordinator for Enrichment Opportunities Kelly Cramer worked with Director of Instruction Mary Weaver and MAYC Executive Director Marcius Moore to develop a wide gamut of age-appropriate programming opportunities for students.
When enrichment programming was eliminated from the Mahomet-Seymour Schools for the 2012-2013 school year, a large group of parents sought out enrichment possibilities through different businesses and corporations.
When Cramer contacted the University of Illinois, the Champaign County Forest Preserve, Illinois Robotics and the Illinois Space Society, the groups were already aware of the program, and glad it was going to be funded by MAYC. Businesses and community members have also volunteered their time to sponsor classes.
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“I think they are opportunities that aren’t offered during the school day,” Cramer said. “Many of us are able to sign out kids up for soccer or dance or other things, but a vet med class is not something you typically find. A lot of these things, you can’t just sign your child up for. They are opportunities that are unique.”
For a reasonable price, Sangamon Classes include, “Wacky Science,” “Sangamon Story Makers,” “We Dig History,” And “Drawn to Art, Moved through Music.”
Lincoln Trail classes include, “Tae Kwon Do,” “SPACE!,” “Bulldog Beat,” and “Animals from A to Z.”
A child who wants to take Tae Kwon Do, but may not be able to afford the monthly fee or annual commitment, the enrichment programming will give that child the opportunity for $55 within a six-week program.
The price of the course also includes a uniform, which Andrew Hutchison from the HMD Academy felt was important for the students to have.
Each course will meet two days a week for six weeks. There will be four sessions of enrichment courses offered throughout the school year.
“At this point, 4 classes at each school felt manageable,” Cramer said. “We are working to share spaces. Both schools have 100 or more kids at Kid’s Club while the (enrichment) classes are running.”
Students who are traditionally served by MAYC or meet the scholarship and fee waiver guidelines will receive funding through MAYC to participate.
When 2013 summer programming at MAYC ended, the students who met at the clubhouse on Franklin St. for afterschool care were integrated into the Mahomet-Seymour Kid’s Club program this fall.
“MAYC is still serving kids in the community,” Moore said. “Not only the kids we served before in the program, but new kids now. When people donate money to the club, it’s not going to the general school funds, it’s going to the youth club to support these programs and our summer programs. Every kid who enrolls in this program will be a MAYC kid.”
Moore said he recently talked to all the MAYC families on Tuesday, and that they’re excited about the enrichment opportunities.
“Every kid that was involved in the (MAYC) program, can be in the enrichment program if they choose to be,” Moore said.
Students received registration forms and program information on Monday. B.L.A.S.T. organizers Kelly Cramer and Marcius Moore said classes were already half-full by Tuesday. Registration is due Sept. 16.
With only 141 spots in the eight classes, and 600 kids in the Sangamon and Lincoln Trail schools, registration is on a first come, first serve basis with a waiting list or guaranteed spot in the second wave of programming.
“Because this program would not be possible at all without the MAYC Merger, MAYC students are guaranteed a place in our programming,” Cramer said.
MAYC offered enrichment programming on campus in after-school and summer care, but Moore said the programming will now come from professionals.
Cramer said this year will be a learning year for the new enrichment program. While organizers have space and budget limitations, they also are trying to foster the needs and interests of the district.
An after-school homework or hangout club supervised by Cramer or Moore is currently available at MSJHS. MAYC will provide funding for after school homework club at the high school within a few weeks. They also hope to develop a community service initiative for older students.
While enrichment programming is not available at the junior high and high school yet, Cramer and Moore have reached out to current athletic and after-school programming to see what other opportunities can be offered.
MAYC will provide an after-school bus service for MSJHS students who want to participate in groups, but otherwise wouldn’t have a way to get home. Due to budget and time limitations, only the MSJHS after-school bus service will be provided at this time.
Although enrichment organizers have talked about it, programming for Middletown students has not been established yet because of students’ age and attention span.
Cramer hopes online registration will be open by next semester. Paper registration will still be available for families who prefer that method.
“The MAYC board feels confident that these new programming opportunities in addition to the after school childcare programming at our schools will serve and enrich the lives of many more children within the Mahomet community,” said MAYC board president Margaret White.
