Learning continues after school with new North Callaway program

Fifth-grader Jenna Leible uses pliers to fasten an earring Monday at Auxvasse Elementary School. She takes a jewelry-making class in North Callaway School District's afterschool program.
Fifth-grader Jenna Leible uses pliers to fasten an earring Monday at Auxvasse Elementary School. She takes a jewelry-making class in North Callaway School District's afterschool program.

Building with Legos, playing the guitar or cooking a four-course meal may not be possible during the average school day. But all of these activities are now offered through North Callaway's Partners in Learning Afterschool Program.

The program kicked off on Sept. 13 and runs from 7-8 a.m. and 3:15-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. High-schoolers in the program can take classes such as robotics, culinary arts and creative writing at North Callaway High School. Students K-8 have options such as photography, graphic design and science exploration at Auxvasse Elementary School.

Brian Jobe, program director, said there's been positive feedback from both parents and students since the program's inception.

"We provide a fun, safe, academic environment where it doesn't feel like a normal school day," Jobe said.

The program was made possible through a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The grant provides approximately $437,000 for the program's first year and $1.86 million over five years.

Jobe reported to the North Callaway Board of Education that the program has brought $169,000 so far to the community through salaries and buying supplies and fuel locally. The program sees about 125 students on a daily basis.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.