Kassy Nays, 7, left, and Frida Srabin, 7, run through the Empire Elementary School Gym Tuesday after school at the Boys ad Gilrs Club. The satelite program has recieved additional funding to continue children's activities at the school. Photo by Brian Corley
Holding his pencil above an eraser-smeared sheet, Jose Quiroz labored through his math homework Tuesday afternoon.
Fortunately, tutors were on hand to help Jose and other students during the homework "power hour" of the Boys & Girls Club satellite program at Empire Elementary School.
And Jose, 6, could see the value of completing his work during the after-school program.
"I'm doing my homework so I don't have to do it at home," he said. "I do everything here so I get to play at home. I do cartwheels. I know how to do a handstand, too."
The pilot program was initiated nearly a year and a half ago to fulfill the three-fold mission to enhance academics, enrich opportunities and support families.
Pat Carpenter, principal of Empire Elementary School, said when students complete their homework during the after-school program, families are free to spend more quality time together.
"If when mom and dad pick up their kids, they can go home and enjoy a meal together and don't have to worry about homework, that really helps the family atmosphere," she said. "Increasing the quality of families is important to us."
Organizers originally expected the program to serve about 25 to 30 students. The club now has about 350 members with more than 100 attending daily.
The program is funded through a federal $750,000 grant, which is extended for three years. School officials are working with leaders from the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada to secure funding once the grant expires.
An overview of the program was presented to school board members during Tuesday's meeting.
"The staff we have there is just outstanding," Carpenter said. "It is not just babysitting. It's very structured in its own way."
The program begins when school is dismissed at 2:45 p.m. For the first hour, students complete their homework and are given a snack. From 4 to 5 p.m., they participate in a variety of outdoor activities then spend the final hour inside with craft projects.
Stephanie Godinez, 10, said she is grateful to have a place to go after school.
"If you're home alone, it's kind of unsafe," she said. "Here, it's better because they take care of you."
An additional satellite program is expected to open at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School next month for select students.
Students will be chosen based on their academic need.