Safe Haven

The STARS (Students, Teachers and Advocates Reaching Success) After-School Program (Weed and Seed Safe Haven) located at East, Eunice Smith, Gilson Brown, Lewis & Clark, Lovejoy, North and West Elementary Schools provides opportunities for students in grades Kindergarten through 5th to improve academically, increase interest in education, and promote school success. The curriculum concentrates on four areas:

• Tutorial Sessions – Teachers work with the students’ classroom teachers to provide homework assistance and tutoring.
• Academic Enrichment – The program provides student-centered enrichment activities. These activities concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, phonics and mathematical skills.
• Recreational Enrichment – With the assistance of community partners, STARS focuses on developing community involvement skills and provides a multi-cultural curriculum to promote tolerance and an appreciation for cultures different from their own. The community partners include the YWCA, the St. Louis Science Center, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, University of Illinois Extension, and Trails West Boys Scouts of America.
• Parental Involvement – Parent Advocates Valerie McDougler and Nora Woods work to ensure parents are actively involved in their child’s education by promoting good attendance, offering family-oriented activities such as the Christmas program, and making personal contacts.

The STARS After-School program currently has 49 students from the Weed and Seed neighborhoods attending on a regular basis. These students were able to participate in an attendance reward trip to the Riverboat Lanes in Godfrey, IL.

If you are interested in getting your child involved with the STARS After-School Program, ask his/her classroom teacher for a permission slip.

For all other questions and concerns contact Karen Scott, Dean, K-5 After-School Programs at 618-474-2600 ext. 608.

Summer Safe Haven 2004

The Alton School District, the Alton YWCA and the Alton Weed & Seed Strategy have formed a partnership to offer a free Summer Safe Haven Program for 75 Kindergarten through 5th grade students living in the Alton neighborhoods of Hunterstown, Middletown and Mexico. The program provides academic, enrichment and recreational activities for the students and encourages parental involvement.

The 2004 Summer Safe Haven site is Eunice Smith Elementary School, North Henry Street. Just outside of the Weed & Seed neighborhood boundaries, Eunice Smith was selected because it is the nearest air-conditioned facility with all school-based amenities available during the summer months. District buses provide transportation to and from student’s homes. The program operates Monday through Friday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. A 3:00 snack and a 5:30 p.m. dinner is provided to each student.

The Summer Safe Haven staff has planned a fun-filled summer with a host of academic, enrichment and recreational activities. Community partners such as the American Red Cross, Hayner Public Library, The Nature Institute, Alton Boys and Girls Club, Alton Police Department, St. Louis Science Center, Arts Alive, and others provide hands-on, “make it–take it” activities that engage the student while reinforcing academic concepts learned during the school year.

Students of the three neighborhoods were notified by mail and invited to attend on a first come basis. Currently the program is operating at capacity; to be placed on the waiting list or for more information, call Colleen Gaskill, of Alton YWCA at 465-7774 or Karen Scott of Alton School District at 463-2077.

text from theAlton Community Unit School District 11 Fall 2003 insert to The Telegraph, September 25, 2003

Through 21st Century and Weed and Seed After-School Program Grants, the Alton School District is pleased to once again offer two quality after-school programs at

21st Century Parental Involvement and Family Literacy Coordinator Beverly Young

Lovejoy Elementary.

The first program, entitled Safe Haven, is available to all K-5 district students who live in the Alton neighborhoods of Hunterstown, Middletown and Mexico. This program is free to students and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in partnership with the City of Alton. Last year, over 40 students attended the Safe Haven Program. The second program, entitled the STARS Program, is available to students who attend Lovejoy and Mark Twain Schools.

Both programs begin immediately after school and start with a tutorial and homework assistance hour. Followed by a snack, students are then able to select an hour of recreational and enrichment programming ranging from hands-on science, dance, technology, and much more. The school district partners with community organizations like the St. Louis Science Center, Lewis and Clark Community College, the YWCA and many others to provide the enrichment programs. Each after-school program runs from 3: 00 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the school year. Both programs are free and include transportation home in the evenings. For additional information on these programs, please contact Director Beverly Young at (618) 474-2600 ext. 608.

Miss America at Lovejoy School. Read The Telegraph story here.

Alton Weed & Seed Strategy
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