The 21st Century Program has expanded this year to provide after-school help at Bradford Area High School, in addition to the schools already served for the past five years. The program offered an opportunity for visitors to experience how the program works during open houses at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School, School Street Elementary and George G. Blaisdell (GGB) Elementary Thursday.
A visit to School Street Elementary showed students engaged in outdoor play time. The program, which is organized in a similar order for GGB and Fretz, provides physical activity and time to work on Imagine Math lessons, followed by time to complete homework, dinner and a STEM activity. For Fretz, the program follows a similar order, but dinner is last.
The program runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at GGB and School Street, and 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. at Fretz and BAHS.
“The (21st Century) program offers homework help, tutoring with teachers in the district, STEM activities and provides dinner and transportation home,” explained Angela Bellotti, program director for School Street, GGB and Fretz. She noted there are over 100 students enrolled in the School Street program, 85 students who attend the GGB program and 35 who participate at Fretz.
All programs are a collaboration between the YMCA, who employs the program staff, the school district and the community. As part of the program, job training is offered to individuals from Futures, with the potential to be employed by 21st Century if the individual is deemed a good fit. There is currently one individual who is working with the School Street program in this capacity.
Meanwhile, the Owl Academy, as the program is known at Bradford High, has themed evenings for the participants. These include Mastery Monday, Technical Tuesday, Workplace Wednesday, Therapeutic Thursday and Fitness Friday.
“The program at BAHS is brand-new this year. It is an extension of the school day with a focus on real world applications,” said Mary Campbell, director of the 21st Century Program at the high school. “We are also partnering with local organizations and companies for guest speakers and future employment opportunities.”
The program teaches cooking every Thursday, teaches students how to change tires and check their oil and also teaches financial responsibility, among other topics designed to make sure the student is ready for the world after graduation.
Campbell explained the program is also primarily focused on mental health and helping students navigate the challenges of high school. Students who are interested in attending the BAHS program can pick up enrollment forms in the main office. Anyone with questions about the high school program can also reach Campbell via email at maryc@twintiersymca.org.
The program is free for all interested students, as it is funded through a grant.
