More and accessible After-School Programs

By Marla Wolkowitz

A large number of Culver City Unified School District parents are concerned with the well being and safety of their children after school. Many do not have needed child care or cannot afford to send their child to existing programs.

• The need for affordable after-school programs grows with the passing of each semester.
• Transportation issues impact the family who cannot transport their child to a program or is at work and cannot even concieve of leaving work to drive their child to a program.
• Tutoring becomes more and more important as we have adopted the new California Academic State Standards and look to see better test scores for our schools.
• Students who no longer will be promoted to the next grade also need year-round tutoring to keep us with their peers.
• After school sports and non-traditional enrichment classes are wanted by many parents.

RESULTS FROM AFTER-SCHOOL NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY as of 1/20/98

248 surveys returned representing 294 children.

La Ballona - 48 respondents 37 interested in a program Farragut 26 12 El Marino 49 32 Lin Howe 47 32 El Rincon 26 18 CCMS 36 17 CCHS 15 1

o Many families would pay for a program - many say it depends on the fee.

o 18 people responded that they would volunteer. 16 would teach a class and 2 would do what was needed to support a program.

o Based on the layout of the survey assumptions can be made that parents want the school district and the city to offer programs "on-site" for low fee/no fee academic, enrichment classes, sports and childcare.

o The requests for specific hours range from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and many combinations which include from the close of the a.m. kindergarten until 6/7 p.m. and after the close of the school day until 6/7 p.m. Some parents want an additional hour or two, drop in basis and other varieties.

o Generally, all parents responding from all school have similar requests for after school choices. They include tutoring (variety of subjects, but mainly in math and reading), fine arts (dance, music, drama) and arts & crafts (handiwork, drawing, painting, woodwork, clay, pottery), sports (specific sports to general PE). Ideas include the cerebral, mediation, active listening, study skills, conversation, social skills and note taking.

o Parents who responded that their children are already in an after-school program setting replied that they are happy with those programs.

o Many of the respondents are concerned about potential fees of programs that may be offered by the CCUSD and the city. Suggestions range from free classes, to subsidized classes to greater discounts for not only identified low income but for also mid-income families.

SUGGESTIONS LISTED BY SCHOOL SITE grouped by topic area

Culver City Middle School child-care at the Middle School tutoring (5) math tutoring (2) reading, writing skills, creative writing study hall, proper note taking social skills (for special ed.) woodworking, electronics, mechanics cooking (2), candle making, drawing English/History civics class in Spanish about this country more history about this country visits by professionals to speak with students career guidance, financial management computers baseball, weight lifting snack

Linwood Howe sports program (8), intramural sports (2), soccer (2), gymnastics homework help (5) - (1st grade English support) tutoring (2), Gifted program, enrichment club math (10), reading (6), science (4), history, creative writing arts & crafts (12), cooking (2), painting music (9), singing, dance (2), ballet (2), drama (5), piano (2), guitar like "STAR" program computer skills (7) more offered in Spanish (3) study program, reading social program, self discovery languages, communication skills

El Rincon assistance with homework (2), math/tutoring (5), reading/tutoring (8), one on one tutoring sports (2), basketball, handball, gymnastics computers (3) arts & crafts (5), music(2), theater (2), dance (2) clubs, story reading science (2), spelling, homework time snacks cooking

La Ballona tutoring (6), homework assistance (6) reading & writing (2), subject review computers (7) math (6), science (5), geography (2), science (2) oral conversation and exchange of ideas, language (2) arts & crafts (8), drama (4), music (7), pottery, cooking, piano, dance (3), talent enrichment, talent shows, musical instruments team sports (7), soccer (2), gymnastics (2), PE, karate academic enrichment for GATE students snack pre-school lunch & field trips

Farragut homework assistance, tutoring (3), reading (4), writing (3), math (4), work study, study skills (2), spelling, science (2) arts & crafts (4) music (5), drama (3), music, dance, cooking, woodwork constructions , photography, voice, singing, sewing sign language computers (2) life skills, anti-bias curriculum, mediation, active listening sports (3), football, soccer

El Marino study hall, time to complete homework/help (2) tutoring for English reading (2), English class, math (5), reading (2), science (8), investing, language enrichment (2), creative writing, computers current events discussion Japanese homework help (5), Japanese conversation culture/cultural activities (2) - switch language lesson club safety education fine arts (17), music (2), lessons/instruments for marching band, voice lessons (3), drama (3), drawing, painting, dance (6), piano, knitting, sewing, cooking, sports (4), sport clinic (2), exercise, ballet, yoga, soccer, handball animals field trips investing magical arts loving - well organized program

CCHS claymation class (student response) better math program (student response) more foreign languages (German, Russian, Italian, Japanese) (student response) creative after-school environment drama, cooking, community service, tutoring, study & organizational skills

Responding to the question "I think the CCUSD should offer..."

La Ballona

o several types of classes o after-school enrichment program o child care with flexible days o more before/after school classes (4) o education, sports, more hours to study o lower cost classes for low income students o before & after school care

Farragut

o snacks and awards o free child care o ½ rate for district employees o more all day pre-school o mediation training and peaceful supervision o after school program at Farragut o parent education o after-school care

El Marino

o fine arts program with music, art and drama o good child care program for children o enrichment program o child-care and escort to on-site classes o academics & arts o computer classes, math, reading workshop o homework class o summer program o additional enrichment coursework o enrichment opportunities and quality employees o more security in the playground o extra payment for teachers for the lessons or extra money in general for existing CCUSD after-school programs so parents won't have to fund raise

Linwood Howe

o after school programs (3) o summer day camp o after-school sports program o affordable after-school care o Gifted programs & workshops o enrichment program on pupil free days, Federal Holidays that are not business holidays o a lot of classes/bilingual/primary due to waivers o cost reduction for single moms o help for those working below grade level o fine arts (4) performing arts - science o program 2-3 times a week o gymnastics (2)

El Rincon

o Reading appreciation & math (2) o GATE program in kindergarten o program at no charge (4) o music & art, dance, cooking & arts & crafts (2) o tutors for students who need help o minimal fee & more enrichment programs o paid salary to employees - at least 2 classroom for program o more seats for computer skills o any special program for children in need

CCMS

o a social class o tutoring o community service o more activities after school

CCHS o better math program o more structure than the Teen Center

Responding to the question "I think the City of Culver City should offer..."

La Ballona o Bilingual classes o extra-curricular for low income families o assistance for after-school classes (2) o scholarships or partial scholarships o low cost classes o discount courses o classes for a wide range of ages (in same class) o several types of classes

Farragut o free child care o free after-school child care o funding-funds for running after-school program at Farragut o after school supervision at Farrqagut o on site sports program o more subsidized childcare programs for middle income families o instrumental music o childcare (2) o indoor swimming classes in the fall & winter o clay & other handicrafts o trips to concerts by LA Philharmonic

El Marino o fine arts instruction o good care program for children o gymnastics o free tutoring or clubs o English reading tutoring o on an "as needed" basis o on-site enrichment classes o free transportation for CC schools on CC buses o additional enrichment coursework

Linwood Howe o after school care o transportation o help for parents in study to help students o summer day camp o on-site after-school program/more affordable, not just income eligible o free programs o junior task force to city council to discuss what young people want/need o after-school sports o enrichment programs (2) o awareness of our cities opportunities and benefits o gifted program o more academically advanced classes o 1 class 2-3 times a week o music & sports

El Rincon o programs in the morning (3) o inexpensive classes o programs at no charge (3) o minimal fee and more enrichment classes o dance, cooking, arts & crafts o paid salaries to employees of this o computer use o after-school program (2)

CCMS o a social class o community service o more electives o program on pupil free days

CCHS o jobs (student response) o more structure than the Teen Center