Fun after school Fun after school (October 17, 2003)

Wide range of programs available for students who aren't ready to head home right away

By Julie O'Shea

Pre-teens, listen up: There's a lot more to do after school than just rushing home to twiddle your thumbs.

In fact, there is so much going on between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. that the Mountain View-Whisman School District teamed up with City Hall, the YMCA, the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) and Healthy Ventures last week to celebrate the plethora of after-school programs available.

"You probably sit around, saying, what are we going to do?" Superintendent Jim Negri told the 50 or so teens who showed up at the Civic Center plaza on Oct. 9 to take part in Lights On After School, a nationwide event to promote after-school programs. This is the first year Mountain View-Whisman has participated.

"This city has so many things designated for our youth," Negri said.

Tired of trying to figure out the answer to that tough math problem by yourself? Need an extra hour or two to unwind and just fool around before studying for tomorrow's history test?

No problem. Students attending Graham and Crittenden Middle Schools can sign up to participate in Tween Time, a free supervised program sponsored by the city that offers students a chance to participate in after school activities like sports contests, crafts, cooking, movies and games until 6 p.m. Students in the Tween Time program must also spend a minimum of 45 minutes in the Homework Center where teachers and recreation leaders will be on hand to answer questions.

"I really love the after-school activities. They are so much fun," said Nikki Pritchard, an eighth grader at Graham who participates in Tween Time. "My leaders are more like friends to me than leaders. They are someone you can talk to."

The El Camino YMCA, CHAC and Healthy Ventures also offer a variety of counseling services, workshops and after-school activities available to teens and their families.

"I feel tremendously fortunate and blessed to be in a community that cares," Angela Ralph, a single mother of two, commented during last Thursday's event. "Thank you very much for all your planning and dedication. I know your job isn't easy, especially with the budget cuts, but thank you."

Elliott Davis, a sixth grader at Crittenden, said Tween Time helps him to concentrate on his studies.

"It's safer and I can do my homework," Davis said between bites of a hotdog. "I usually get distracted at home."

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com