After School Program: A Prevention Strategy

The City School District of New Rochelle proposes to implement after-school and summer programs at two Middle Schools in New Rochelle in the Summers of 2003 and 2004, and the 2003-2004 school year. The programs are designed as a preventive strategy to reduce the potential for juvenile involvement in the justice system, reduce violence, reduce risky behavior and boost school success. The population to be served is 640 6th-8th grade students who are economically disadvantaged and/or at-risk academically and their families.

Program goals include: (1) to improve the academic performance of the Middle School students, enabling them to be well prepared for high school; (2) to address the total developmental needs of participating students, utilizing strength based assets, to improve their physical and social skills and career knowledge of various fields; (3) to assist 8th graders to make a smooth transition to high school; and (4) to enable families of participating students to gain the skills to support the success of their children in school and in the future.

Program activities that will be implemented include: (1) homework help, tutoring, and interdisciplinary enrichment projects in literacy, arts, math and technology; (2) youth development activities including community service projects, positive youth development workshops in decision making and relationships and career exploration activities; (3) recreation and fitness activities including non-competitive games, fitness and conditioning, skills-based clinics and intramural teams; and (4) family support activities including bilingual parent education workshops and workshops related to supporting student success.

Specific outcomes for the New Rochelle After-School and Summer programs are: (1) To improve the academic performance of at least 70% of the 640 participating students at Isaac E. Young Middle School and at Albert Leonard Middle School: 170 students each summer and 300 students during the 2003-2004 school year; (2) to improve the behavior, social skills and career knowledge of at least 80% of the participating students at Isaac E. Young Middle School and of the 100 participating students at Albert Leonard Middle School; (3) to enable participating 8th graders to make a smooth transition to high school with strengthened basic academic skills and increased knowledge of colleges and college expectations; and (4) to assist families of participating middle school students to gain the skills necessary to support the success of their children in school and in the future.

NCA/NCF