“Pirates
After School Program”
In
February 2007, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Carteret
County established a partnership with Atlantic Elementary
School, to begin an after school program known as ”Pirates
After School”, Pirates being the School Mascot.
Atlantic
School is the oldest school in the county and is well-respected
as Carteret County’s first high school. It has a total
student population of 158 (as of 2006-07 school years) and
instructs Pre-K-8th grades. Even though Atlantic Elementary
is a School of Excellence, more than 50% of the student
body are at risk, coming from single family homes or living
with a grandparent and receives little or no academic support.
Employment, particularly in the jobs related to the water,
is increasingly difficult to find. This is not only a school
at risk but a community at risk, as well.
Efforts
needed to be made to connect students from such a proud
and independent heritage with schooling that will enable
them to have successful careers, support their families,
and maintain their heritage. This is where CIS of Carteret
County developed a partnership to begin Atlantic’s
first after school program.
The
CIS after school program has risen to meet this challenge
in Atlantic, NC. The program meets Monday through Thursday,
from 3:00 to 5:30p.m. It is coordinated by a CIS part-time
paid staff position and 23 community volunteers, to include
a partnership with 5 Communities of Faith. The program provides
a daily healthy snack, character building exercises, homework
assistance along with a social and artistic hour. The program
is not a childcare program. This is a program that brought
enrichment opportunities to 38 school age children that
may not otherwise have had a chance to participate in 4-H
programs, or learn what possibilities Carteret Community
College has to offer them for their futures. They have the
opportunity to be inspired by guest speakers, learn compassion
by assisting the elderly in their community, learn new behaviors,
and build self-esteem and so much more.
For
more information about the “Pirates After School”
program and how you can volunteer your time or talents,
please call Hazel Taylor at (252) 225-5921.
Back
