After School Academic Program (ASAP)
| 2009-2010 Sites | 21st Century Sites | |
| Clements | Challenge Charter Academy | |
| Fairview | Liberty | |
| Ficquett | Middle Ridge | |
| Heard-Mixon | Porterdale | |
| Live Oak | Washington Street Community Center | |
| Oak Hill | ||
| Rocky Plains | ||
| West Newton |
The components of the ASAP include:
- A Healthy Snack
- Math and Reading Enrichment
- Homework Assistance
- Other Enrichment Activities (i.e. Fitness, Spanish, Drama, Dance, Golf, Life Skills, etc.)
General Information
The purpose of implementing afterschool programs in Newton County schools is to improve the lives of students by nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits through programs that incorporate independent learning and enrichment activities that support academic achievement. The program offers a safe structured environment during a time when students are at-risk for becoming involved in unhealthy behavior. Students are engaged in activities and on-going relationships that increase confidence and encourage success in all areas of their lives -- at home, in school, and in the community.
Objectives of the After School Academic Program (ASAP) include improved performance in core academic areas with an emphasis on reading and math; improved homework completion, class participation, and behavior; opportunities for students to be more involved in the arts and recreation; and increased parent involvement in their children’s education and development. Activities will be learner‐focused with enrichment and remediation presented through innovative lessons, student projects, small group learning, and technology.
In 2009, Newton County School System was awarded a 21st Century grant to expand the ASAP, targeting children identified as needing after‐school services and remediation, but whose families cannot afford the tuition‐based program already in place. Funding from the program has allowed the district to serve 250 additional students tuition‐free in the ASAP in 5 locations, including four schools, Porterdale Elementary, Middle Ridge Elementary, Liberty Middle, the Challenge Charter Academy, and a community‐based program at the Washington Street Community Center. The school system currently offers the ASAP program on a tuition basis at Ficquett, Heard Mixon, Porterdale, Live Oak, West Newton, and Rocky Plains elementary schools and Fairview and Clements theme schools.
ASAP is offered to students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Students remain at their schools and the Washington Street Community Center students are transported from their home school to the center daily for program participation. The ASAP is designed for students who are able to participate independently in age-appropriate activities within a 1:18 teacher/student ratio.
The hours of the After School Academic Program are Monday through Friday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. for elementary schools, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Fairview Theme School, and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. for middle schools. The program does not operate on weekends, school vacation, holiday periods, and teacher in-service days. When schools are closed due to inclement weather, students should be picked up immediately.
Components of ASAP:
- A Healthy Snack
- Math and Reading Enrichment
- Homework Assistance
- Other Enrichment Activities (i.e. Fitness, Foreign Language, Drama, Music, Arts & Crafts, Life Skills, etc.)
Registration
To register, parents must complete the registration form, sign the parent agreement, and pay a $10 registration fee and first week’s tuition for each child. There are no registration fees for students to be enrolled in the 21st Century program. Registration is held at the individual afterschool sites during after school hours. Enrollment is subject to acceptance of the registration form and receipt of the tuition fee, if applicable. Registration forms and parent handbook can be downloaded from the Newton County School System website.
Failure to disclose information affecting your child’s participation in the After School Academic Program may result in his/her dismissal from the program.
Fees
Tuition is $40 for the first child and $35 for each additional child. Tuition must be paid on a weekly basis by the Friday before the week of participation. If school is closed on Friday, payment will be due Thursday. Tuition is paid by check or money order made payable to the Newton County School System. Cash cannot be accepted. Payments must be given directly to the Site Coordinator or placed in the drop box in the front office of the school. There will be no refunds made for students absent from the program. Students enrolled in the 21st Century program do not pay the weekly tuition.
Withdrawal and Re-Enrollment Fee
If your child is not in attendance in the ASAP for any reason (voluntary, disciplinary, late fee payments, etc) and you wish for him/her to remain in the program, tuition must be paid for the time that he/she is not in attendance or he/she will not be eligible to attend the program until payment and late fees (if applicable) are paid. If your child will be out of the program for four weeks or more and tuition to hold their spot has not been paid, your child will be automatically withdrawn from the program.
To re-enroll, parents must pay a $25.00 re-enrollment fee plus the upcoming weekly tuition before the week of participation. Parents wishing to re-enroll their children in the 21st Century program are not charged a re-enrollment fee; however, acceptance is based on available slots.
Activities
The following is a typical day for the ASAP. The schedule, however, may vary slightly to accommodate the size of the program and the grade level of students:
1. attendance, restroom, snack
2. homework
3. reading and math activities
4. enrichment activity
The ASAP staff will provide appropriate time and space for homework. We will gladly encourage each child to use this time wisely. However, parents are responsible for completion and accuracy.
Example of enrichment activities are:
| Physical Activities | Enrichment Activities | |
Kickball |
Educational Games |
|
Aerobics |
Foreign Language |
|
Basketball |
Cooking |
|
Exercise |
Art Project/Activities |
|
Free Play |
Computer Time |
Contact:
Ms. Deena J. Sams
School/Parent/Community Collaboration Coordinator
Phone: (770) 787-1330, ext. 1271
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