Ortonville- An after-school program intended to help children physically and academically is currently being planned for fifth and sixth graders.
Additionally, overcrowding at the Brandon Township Library during after-school hours may be alleviated by the program.
Brandon Schools Superintendent Tom Miller hopes to have the fee-based program in place at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School by October. Students in the program would play sports for physical fitness and be tutored to improve academics.
‘We’re concerned about the health of students,? said Miller. ‘Studies show our society is becoming more and more obese… Kids don’t get enough physical activity. This program would give students homework help and have a physical aspect.?
Miller is working on details with BFIS Principal Don Patrick, Brandon Athletic Director Larry Lamphere and Brandon Community Education Director June Wuopio. The key to the program, he says, is parents and interest will be determined by cost. A fee is necessary to pay for program supervision.
Participants would commit to a minimum of one semester and program activities would vary, but might include basketball, volleyball, card and board games. Multiple days of the week are being considered for the program.
‘Research tells you kids struggle at the intermediate and middle school levels, as far as social, emotional and physical changes,? Miller said. ‘This (after-school program) may help.?
Although the intent of the program is to provide students with a healthy academic program, Miller said if it also helps the library, ‘so be it.?
Library staff have been contending with large numbers of students in the facility at 304 South St., located adjacent to the Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School.
After several incidences in which library restrooms and furniture were vandalized and adult patronage was reduced because of as many as 150 students using the facility during the hours of 2:30-5 p.m. on school days, the library hosted a forum in May. About 60 community officials and concerned citizens and parents attended and discussed the problem, as well as solutions. The Community After-School Taskforce was also created as a result of the forum.
Nancy Rossi, taskforce chairman, sees the group’s role as connecting children to the places and resources in the community that best fit their after-school needs.
‘It’s not intention of the taskforce to provide these, we’re simply putting ideas out there and seeing what people in the community are interested in having and doing,? said Rossi.
Some of the ideas the taskforce has discussed include creating an after-school drama club, youth choir and a youth volunteer corps, in which students could help meet the needs of the community, particularly senior citizens. Adult volunteers are needed, as well as a meeting place.
The taskforce’s next meeting is 7 p.m., Sept. 20 in the library conference room. Anyone interested in joining the taskforce should email Rossi at nrossi@earthkids.org.
One solution for the library issue will begin Sept. 6. Every Tuesday, from 2:30- 4:30 p.m., fifth-eighth grade students are invited to come to Ortonville Baptist Church to play sports in the gym, study in the auditorium or socialize in the lobby. The program, called AST for ‘After School Thing,? will be supervised by adults. The Brandon School District will provide bus transportation from both Brandon Middle School and BFIS to the church at 173 N. Church St. Parents are responsible for picking children up. The program is planned to continue until Jan.10, at which time it will be evaluated and may be extended. For more information on AST, call OBC youth pastor Ken Tison at (248) 627-2513, ext. 12.