THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995 TAG: 9512230173
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
During the day, Room 412 at Ruffner Middle School is a physical and earth science classroom, not unlike other classrooms throughout the building.
But after dismissal, Room 412 rings with the sounds of happy children's voices as a group of them busy themselves with a variety of activities guaranteed to warm any parents' - or educators' - hearts.
Room 412 is home to ``Let The Games Begin,'' the Ruffner Middle Child Care Project, a program offering free after-school care to children living in the Tidewater Gardens public housing community. Now in its second year, the project is funded by a $20,000 grant from the School-Aged Child Care Initiative of the Virginia Council on Childhood Day Care and Early Childhood Programs.
Despite the catchy name, the program is more than fun and games, although it is those things, too. The program includes tutoring, homework assistance, computers, intramural sports, arts and crafts, poetry contests, library story time, board games and field trips. There's a parent action committee and even a monthly newsletter.
``This program helps a lot of parents because a lot of parents want to work,'' explains teacher Sandra Cherry, the program's director. ``These children would go home to an empty house.''
Cherry's kids range in age from 6 to 12 and attend Ruffner or nearby Tidewater Park Elementary. Enrollment is limited to 40; 36 currently are participating in the program.
Cherry is assisted by two other teachers and at least one volunteer, either a parent or another school employee. On days when school isn't in session, the program moves to the Hunton YMCA to offer continuity of care.
One recent day, no sooner had lead teacher Archie Nelson Jr. entered the classroom than Jovante Banks, 6, was at his side happily asking for help with his homework.
``Let me see your homework sheet,'' Nelson said, smiling. The sheet is prepared weekly by the regular classroom teacher.
``You need help with math and vocabulary today,'' Nelson observed as Jovante scurried to get his books and papers.
Cafeteria employee Flossie Wilhite, helping out with arts and crafts, said:
``I think it's nice for the kids to help them get their homework done so, the next day, they can turn in their homework. It's nice for them to have an after-school program like this for the kids.''
Delano Odom, 13, said:
``I got an award for chess. I learned to play in the after-school program. Mrs. Cherry's husband held a chess workshop. We also have other workshops.''
Adrienne Wiggins, 11, was proud of the award she had received in the poetry contest. Her poem and others were on the program's bulletin board in the hall near the classroom.
``There's some good poetry there,'' Cherry said.
On a recent field trip to the Bayside Recreation Center in Virginia Beach, Nelson had offered swimming lessons. Several children, Cherry said, had learned to swim for the first time.
Social studies teacher Janet Jenkins stopped in to visit. Jenkins plays the guitar and frequently uses it in her classroom. She's getting ready to initiate a keyboarding program for the kids.
``The school has supplied six keyboards so we can teach the children something about music,'' she said. ``It'll begin after the first of the year. I'll teach them to read music; it'll be theory and `hands-on.' ''
Alisa Stith, 11, was clearly enjoying herself.
``I think it's good for us because they help us with our homework and then we can go to computer lab and type or play question games,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Archie Nelson, lead teacher for the child-care project, goes over a
homework assignment with Brandon Reid.
by CNB