|
Duck University completes successful year
Duck University completed its first school year and the outcome was nothing but successful. More than 1,000 students in grades K-8 were served in the after-school program. Duck University is funded by a three-year, $1.5 million 21st-Century Community Learning grant. The program provides students with free after-school care and educational services. During the afternoon students participated in tutoring and homework help and enrichment activities. Some of the favorite enrichment activities were Goofy Track, Crazy Relays and Cooking. The enrichment activities were provided by grant partners, TISD teachers and community volunteers. Duck University is in the early stages of providing services for parents as well. In April we kicked off a series of parenting sessions titled, "Help, I Have Kids! Now What Do I Do?" The series will begin again in September. John Matthews, TISD parent educator, will coordinate these sessions. Topics will cover parenting skills, nutrition, financial needs and more. The sessions will be based on surveys completed by parents on their needs and wants. Parents will have several opportunities to attend the same session each month at night or during the day. The sessions will be presented at Northside School as well as at different locations throughout the community. Another opportunity for parents is the Fatherhood Program. Matthews will present the program monthly to fathers and other men who are involved in the lives of children. The goal of this program is to help fathers strengthen their relationships with their children. Another piece of the parent education program that Duck University will sponsor are ESL, GED and computer classes. We are still in the beginning planning stages of these programs but all three will be kicked off during the fall of the upcoming school year. During the summer, Duck University is providing a program during the month of June for students in grades K through 5. Students who attend summer school are invited to spend each afternoon participating in one of four different camps. The camps include a Sports Camp, taught by Taylor ISD coaches, a Science Camp and Read, Write and Act, both taught by Taylor ISD teachers, and Kids College, taught by Temple College at Taylor. The program runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Middle School students will have opportunities to participate in Duck University during the month of July. July 18-21 and July 25-28, a select group of about 30 seventh-grade students will participate in a Writing Camp. The hours will be 8:30 a.m. until noon. The Writing Camp will be led by a University of Texas faculty member. Also during the month of July, another group of about 40 seventh and eighth-grade students will be invited to participate in a two-week Forensics Camp. The students will collect DNA samples and learn about fingerprinting and other techniques to solve a fictitious crime. This will be a cross-curricular activity but the students will be so involved in solving the crime that they won't even realize they are using math, science and language arts skills. For more information about Duck University or to learn how you can volunteer to help continue the success of this program, contact Angela Allen at (512) 352-6845 or visit us online at www.taylorducks.org/duckuniversity.
|
