BRIDGE BUILDING … Becky Short works with children as they attempt to build a bridge out of Q-tips, close pins, and pipe cleaners. The goal was to build a bridge that could hold the most pennies.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Learning Friends, an afterschool program for Fayette children, held a special during-school event this past week.
On Monday, December 18th, students in grades K-6 came over to attend the event, which was held at the Fayette Church of the Nazarene.
The program is welcomed at the church due to the program group not having their own building.
During the program, a member of the Fayette Library read to the children, before they were split into groups. Each group was assigned a station that featured different learning activities.
Some of these stations included making a button tree ornament, making a spinning top, a chemical reaction station, and a station on Fayette’s history.
Children were also treated to a special snack during their time at the event. Cups of popcorn that were grown by children who attend the after-school portion of the program was served to everyone.
The program itself started this past summer, through a partnership with Becky Short and the Fayette School. Superintendent Dr. Angela Belcher explained that the school had received mental health and wellness funds that could be used to target social and emotional learning loss.
Instead of the school running the program themselves, and since Becky Short was already getting the program up and running, the school partnered with her, along with the Fayette Library, Fayette Community Development Corporation, and Community Education for Development.
The collaboration between everyone led to a very successful summer program. Students enjoyed the program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with Tuesday being a special day for kids to go to the library.
The Fayette Library (Normal Memorial Library) also had fun activities for the children such as bounce houses and a baseball/softball tournament.
Dr. Belcher went on to explain that, since the summer program went so well, the school decided to incorporate it into the school year.
Program days are now set for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On Tuesday children in grades K-2 go to the library after school until 4:30 p.m. before returning to the full group.
On Thursday, grades 3-6 go to the library, therefore giving everyone a chance to spend time there. Dinner is also served each night for the children, with everyone also receiving a cookie during their meal.
Currently, sixty-six children are currently enrolled in the program. Not everyone is able to attend each day, resulting in around 45-48 children being fed each day.
The amount of food required to do this is immense and would not be possible without support from community members and local organizations.
Short explained that Fayette Food Pantry has been exceptionally supportive of what is being done and has helped to donate food for the children.
Many community members have donated food as well, with Becky saying one day a community member donated thirty pounds of ground beef.
Short also said that she has had many members of the community come to her wanting to volunteer their time. The program already has many volunteers who give their time freely each day.
Staff from the school also help out with the program, including teachers who work the program to provide interventions for students, paraprofessionals who make sure students remain on task, and the school counselor who helps with a social and emotional lesson once a week.
Many STEAM activities are also a huge focus during the week, with students and parents loving the program.
“The kids are always excited about it, and so are the parents. It has been so rewarding for me to see the kids have a safe place here to learn and help the kids as much as we can.”
Many additional activities are being planned for the children to take part in throughout the rest of this school year. One such activity will be the addition of an artist, Kirsten Dennis” who will be working to help children develop their art skills.
