The Kosciusko School District after-school tutorial program began last week at Kosciusko Upper Elementary.
The program, available free-of-charge to students of all grade levels, is currently divided into two groups which meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Students are grouped based on age, grade level, and their academic needs. Kindergarten and first-graders come on Mondays at 4 p.m., followed by second and third-graders at 5 p.m. On Tuesdays, fourth and fifth grade students come at 4 p.m., followed by sixth through eighth-graders at 5 p.m. On Thursdays, kindergarten through third-graders meet at 4 p.m., and fourth through eighth-graders at 5 p.m.
Parents are allowed to drop kids off for the first session at 3:50, and at 4:50 off for the second session.
“Our high school students aren't really coming right now, but we will have a special day for them,” said Semone Olive, director of the after-school program. “Let's say, the state test is getting ready to happen in a week or two, then we'll have it set up where they can come, and we can just work with those students.”
Olive said the first week was a success, and 114 students were recommended for participation.
“This is our first full week, so we are still getting new people. We are not turning anybody away,” she said.
She said a parent night was held last Monday at KUE, where instructors talked with parents and introduced themselves before having a question-and-answer segment. Tuesday was the first real day of tutorials, and on Thursday, students completed a STEM activity where they were able to build towers.
The after-school program is designed to give students additional hands-on learning experiences.
Submitted
“That went over well. The kids loved it,” said Olive. “We used toothpicks, marshmallows and pumpkins. It was amazing, some of the stuff that they made out of that.”
Currently, the program is offering tutorials in English/language arts and math. Olive said groups also do some science, technology, engineering, and mathematics work (STEM). In addition to being an outlet for students to improve skills in areas where they are struggling, it serves as an enrichment program for students who excel in the classroom but seek an extra challenge.
Program instructors include:
Regina Coats - Lower Elementary
Kaytee Culpepper - Middle Elementary
Jessica Harmon - Upper Elementary
Nathan Johnson - Upper Elementary
Yolanda Talley - Upper Elementary
Krystal Thomas - Upper Elementary
Kayla Williams - Junior High
Olive said the number of students accepted into the program is unlimited, but the district hopes to provide a smaller learning environment for students to receive more direct interaction and instruction.
The program tries to keep learning groups small so instructors can provide individualized instruction.
Submitted.
“In the classroom, you’ve got 25 kids, so you're not able to just work with students one-on-one,” said Olive. “In this program, what we're trying to do is provide that one-on-one for students and have five to eight kids in a group so that we can provide whatever their needs are, or just maybe individualize things a little better for our students.”
