Does anyone have ideas or experience with starting up after school programs, such as a math or book clubs? Our school has nothing right now but there is much interest in getting something started.

We've done a book club every year before school and our math teacher does a Math 24. We also do a Thinking and Games club that focuses on things like chess for the kids to learn and play before school. My favorite has always been the book club--because it joins the school in reading one book at different grade levels. Last year we read Nim's Island. When the kids came together they didn't read the book, they did fun things like try the foods they had on the island like fresh coconut, seaweed and fresh pinapple. We would discuss different aspects of things and at one point built shoebox barrier reefs. We always picked a movie that was either out in the theathers or coming out and then we would attend the movie at the end of the club. It was a really neat thing to do at the elementary school level.

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At our school, we have many academic programs after school. We have Math 24, Book Club, Art through Literature, Homework Club, Reading with Phonics, Math by the Numbers; etc. We also have a Newspaper Club, in which the students produce the newspaper. They have jobs and stories to cover, interviews, jot down notes on any events school may have; then they make it into a story and the paper gets published.

We also have Gymnastics, Basketball and other Art clubs; as well as a Drama club that seems to be very popular.

My school is desperately trying to setup an afterschool enrichment program. We would love the opportunity to speak with someone in your group who could possibly help with directing us in the right direction. Any assistance would be so very appreciated!!

Our school introduced a chess club this year for the first time and it has been a great hit, with a wait list. The school and PTCO is lacking on volunteers, but we have an energetic first year teacher that started the club. She contacted a gentleman that is part of our county's adult chess club and he volunteered to come in and help teach the kids how to play chess, 1 day a week.

We have a couple of clubs at our school. Stamp club, photography, art, soccer, drums, chorus, ecology and chess. We have teachers that run the clubs and they receive a small stiped to do so. PTO doesn't pay for it I believe the district does. Maybe you guys could check with the teachers and see what their interests are and maybe getting something going if you have some funds for it.

M