THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501270744
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
WHILE MANY Elementary students are spending their afternoons playing outdoors, glued to the TV or bogged down in homework, some children at Cape Henry Collegiate School are keeping busy exploring their interests.
Through Intramurals Plus, an after-school program in its second year, some 50 children in fourth through sixth grade are spending two afternoons a week, 90 minutes per day, learning mythology, creating crafts and hiking.
The program is divided into six-week trimesters, with a variety of classes offered each time around. ``Myths, Mirth and More,'' ``Jewelry Making and Creative Crafts'' and ``Get Movin' '' are three of the five classes currently being offered.
Since students at these grade levels are ineligible to play sports, the program is an extracurricular alternative.
``It is an after school program that is designed to get the younger students involved in after-school activities,'' said Tanya Kaish, director of the program and middle school English teacher. ``This is a great way to get them motivated.''
Besides teaching classes, such as the current ``Newsies'' and the fall ``Lacrosse,'' Kaish has welcomed staff members, parents and members of the community to teach as well.
Since she worked for the Parks and Recreation Department during her summer breaks from Old Dominion University, Kaish has had some experience in developing youth fun and interesting activities.
With these courses, Kaish hopes to give students the opportunity to explore topics that do not fit into the regular curriculum and to also give more time to those subjects that may not be covered in depth in class.
That's the reason 10-year-old Jameka Allen, a fifth-grader, signed up for the mythology course. ``We've been studying myths in class and I like them,'' she said. In ``Myths, Mirth and More,'' the students have watched ``Clash of the Titans'' and had their own ``God and Goddess Party.''
Jameka has also taken art and dancing classes in the past and said she plans to continue with the program because she likes ``being with my friends and having fun.''
``Get Movin','' a health and fitness class that takes students on walks to places such as Seashore State Park, has been another popular class.
``I wanted to stay active throughout the winter,'' said 12-year-old Stirling Goulart, a sixth-grader. ``It's fun.''
The activities rely on student participation and interest. ``It's a big word of mouth program,'' Kaish said. ``It's grown steadily.''
Cape Henry parents are supportive of the program, citing its diversity as its strong point.
Mary Jo Bradley, parent of fifth-grader Andrew and sixth-grader Bridget, is excited that her children have had the chance to try everything from karate to sculpture.
``It's neat that they can be involved in something after school,'' she said. ``They really enjoy it and the program is really well done.''
Classes are being planned for the spring trimester, which will begin late March, and will include classics, such as ``Shaolin Kempo Karate,'' as well as new courses such as ``Ultimate Frisbee.''
Additionally in the spring, the program will extend to third-graders for the first time. These students will be offered some type of hands-on art class.
The program has been designed to help students gain sociability through interaction with other students, as well as confidence through new experiences.
``I think it could lead to making them better people as they get to the middle grades,'' Kaish said. ``It kind of helps bring them out of their shells.''
Testing out new waters is something that stems from Kaish's own experience. ``I want them to develop a sense of adventure and be willing to take that extra step to experience something new,'' she said. ``I like to try anything I can. I feel I can spread the wealth.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Teraya Knight, left, and Maya Cooke enjoy working on a computer
during their Intramurals Plus class.
Lynsey Bates, a fourth-grader, threads beads onto a string in a
jewelry making and crafts class.
Cape Henry Collegiate fifth-graders Chris Hawkins and Carlee
Reynolds practice karate holds.
by CNB