AUGUSTA — A free educational after-school program has a new home in the city.
The 40 youngsters in grades 3 through 6 enrolled in The 21st Century AfterSchool Enrichment Center this year are together at the Buker Community Center.
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The program was formerly housed at the city’s public elementary schools.
Barbara Helen Baker, program coordinator, said the federally funded program, which is free to participants, is in its fourth year.
The program started Monday for the current school year and runs from about 3:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The children are bused from their schools to Buker and are bused home Tuesday through Thursday. Parents pick up their children on Monday.
“We are able to offer a lot more opportunities having it here,” Baker said. “It was not cost-effective to hold it at the schools. None of the spaces at the school large enough to hold it.”
The children get a snack, 30 minutes of homework help and opportunities to participate in theater, dance, cooking, sports clinics and various projects, including community service and arts and crafts.
The program, run by certified teachers and educational technicians, is held in three rooms on the first floor of Buker in a wing that once housed a library, home economics and science rooms.
The program this year is funded with $150,000 for four staffers, rent, supplies and busing.
Baker said she is seeking donations of area rugs and of tape and CD players and books for students aged 8-12.
The program is aimed at those who need help with schoolwork to keep up in the classroom. Once all those children are accommodated, the program is open to all.
In order to enroll in the program, students must be recommended by a teacher at his or her school.
Spurwink Services operates the program under a contract with the Augusta School District.
Baker said there is a waiting list. When it was housed at the schools, enrollment reached 85, but the budget was larger in previous years.
Application forms are available at the schools and also at the Buker Community Center.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
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