By Roxy Ekberg
Republican Staff
Wakefield After-School Program was selected by Beyond School Bells, an initiative of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education, to receive the grant. Funds were made available through federal dollars as well as private funds and will sustain the program for two years. The grant supports summer learning for 55 Wakefield students. The program partners with several local businesses and agencies including Lazy Acres Decor & Floral, Tacos Valenzuela, A to Z Designs, the Little Red Hen Theatre, and Ponca State Park.
“This Summer of Youth grant will allow us to offer opportunities for hands-on learning and field trips to local businesses,” said Kari Rooney, 4-6 grade language arts teacher and program director. “We want students to have a fun summer and we want to better prepare them for the fall to learn and grow.”
In its first year, the program engages students in hands-on learning and field trips. This week, students took part in lessons on Monday, toured businesses on Tuesday, Wildlife Encounters on Wednesday, and will travel to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo on Thursday.
Monday’s lessons included nutrition, floral arranging, guided drawing, and painting upside-down to mimic Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel. Tuesday’s tours featured cooking homemade tortillas at Tacos Valenzuela, making t-shirts with A to Z Designs, and learning tricks of the trade at Nick’s Wood Shop and Lazy Acres Decor & Floral.
Superintendent Matt Farup stated this grant directly supports the district’s goals for helping all students succeed. “This program is a valuable opportunity for our students. It will help them to learn new things, make new friends, and have a great summer. I encourage all our students to participate in this program in the future.”