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College for kids By Heather Alleew Duck University provides safety, entertainment, education for students after school There's a new university opening its doors in Taylor Sept. 7. Duck University. The program, which combines after school activities for children eighth grade and under with information about colleges, is still looking for volunteers. Duck University has settled in at Northside Elementary, where Director Angela Allen said all of the activities will take place. One of the aspects of Duck University is the opportunity for members of the community to come in and teach students from many age groups a skill or talent. Allen said the enrichment portions of the day will be from 5-6 p.m. and will include anything from cooking to arts and crafts to playing board games. Students choose one or two enrichment sessions, depending on how many days they attend the program, each six weeks. Allen said ideally there would be eight to 10 choices for students each time they choose. Volunteers will have to commit to about an hour a week for the six-week period. In addition to the enrichment, kids will receive help with homework, a snack, academic tutoring and information on colleges and universities in Central Texas. Allen said the first college to be introduced to the kids will be Temple College. "Two days a week we will have a college focus. It will get these kids thinking 'when I go to college...'" Allen said. The other two days a week will focus on character education, strengthening the children's values along the same lines as the school district is trying to do. Along with the other activities, the kids will film video clips of what is happening at each school as part of a broadcast journalism program. The clips will then be shown at the schools once a month. "I think this is going to be fun," Allen said. Students who want to sign up for the free program will have a chance at registration. A booth will be set up at each school during the registration period. Parents can also get information at the booths. Once school starts, principals will also make recommendations for students who should participate, but the program is offered to any student from kindergarten through eighth grade. "Not a whole lot has been said about it yet," Allen said. "I think once school starts and we can send things home, we'll get more interest." Duck University's purpose is to help students and teachers alike when they go back to class. "The goal of this program is to improve cooperation and lower discipline referrals and provide a safe place for kids to go after school," Allen said. The grant money funding Duck University is projected to support 750 kids throughout the year. Allen is hoping to burst through that number. "I think it will happen. I have this dream of not having enough money because we have so many kids we need to service," she said. For more information or to volunteer, call Duck University at 352-6845.
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