The Warren County School System will again receive funding to continue the 21st Century after school program in the new school year.
Director of Schools Grant Swallows said the program provides afternoon activities for students who may need extra instruction or tutoring after school. Swallows said the program also has a benefit for some district parentsm especially those with younger students.
“It’s also a good way for families who are working families who need some assistance after school,” Swallows said. “So that they can maybe pick their child up a little bit later, and so, it’s a win-win.”
Swallows said the service is vital, so the previously announced program funding freeze had some districts scrambling. Swallows said the program would not have happened this school year if the funding was not released.
“I know there were lots of families that were worried about that,” Swallows said. “And we do now have the opportunity to do that. I know, again, in the last five years, we’ve taken advantage of it. Or our families and our community has taken advantage of it, and we anticipate they will continue to do so.”
Swallows said the program provides snacks and activities that may not be able to happen during the school day. He said teachers are always staffed for homework help, and kids have some free play time as well.
“It’s an extra hour or so that we get to do some of our things with the kids that they enjoy and we enjoy,” Swallows said. “We see it as a beneficial thing.”
Swallows said the program is popular among a lot of district schools. He said there is usually somewhere around 300 students who take advantage of the program each year, though that number fluctuates based on family needs.
Swallows said he hopes this program is one the system can continue to offer, as long as there is a need for it.
The first day of school for Warren County students is Friday.