Purina® Partnership Promotes Social/Emotional Learning
During the 2016-2017 school year, an ARCHS' community partnership with Purina® has introduced Mutt-i-grees® to theAfter School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP). Over the past year, the staffs of ASAP's 30 after school program sites have participated in Mutt-i-grees® trainings, with many locations implementing the curricula in fun and innovative ways.
Mutt-i-grees®seeks to build calm, confident, and caring children. Its innovative PreK-12 social/emotional learning curriculum highlights the unique characteristics of shelter pets (mutts) to teach essential skills for academic and life success.
The project is designed for use in various classroom settings, character education, after school programs, and libraries. More than 4,000 schools in over 40 states are using the curriculum, often in conjunction with bullying prevention and efforts to enhance school climate. Lesson plans align with the National Health Education Standards and Common Core State Standards.
Locally, Purina® provides professional development from North Shore Animal League of New York, grade-level lesson plans, pre-post evaluation by Yale University's School of the 21st Century, animal visits by local assistance/therapy pet organizations, and library resources. At the end of this school year, many ASAP sites were visited by dogs from CHAMP.
Photo: A CHAMP assistance dog visits the ASAP after school program at Mann Elementary School. Photo by Diane Page.
2017 After School Professionals Appreciation Week
After School Professionals Appreciation Week is set for April 24-28, 2017. ASAP salutes and recognizes those who work with youth during out-of-school hours. Join ASAP in thanking the hundreds of after school professionals and volunteers who make a difference in the lives of more than 2,000 young people throughout ASAP's 30 program locations.
In March, one of ASAP's program partners - Gene Slay's Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis - penned a feature story on the important role of after school and the impact they are having on the community.
Read Gene Slay's Girls & Boys Club story.
MASN 2017 Conference Honors ASAP Partners
ARCHS, Neighborhood Houses, and Provident staff members were honored for their years of service and staff leadership to the after school community at the March 2017 Missouri AfterSchool Network's (MASN) conference. As well, Bonita Jamison, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction of the Riverview Gardens School District (pictured above right), was honored. Jamison was nominated by ARCHS' Kristy Kight (pictured above left) for the honor in recognition of her support of the After School for All Partnership (ASAP).
Lights On After School 2016
On October 20, 2016 ASAP joined thousands of after school programs across America to celebrate "Lights on After School." Launched in October 2000, it is the only nationwide event celebrating after school programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities.
ASAP sites celebrated with special events across its network of 30 program locations. Pictured: ASAP student performance at Mullanphy Elementary School.
ASAP Partners with Area Police
In September 2016, the ASAP program at Peabody Elementary School shared their after school snack time with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers.
Also in September, the ASAP program at Hanrahan Elementary School in Jennings invited St. Louis County Police officers to join students and staff for a kick ball tournament and pizza party in an effort to build relationships with each other.
ASAP programs annually serve more than 2,000 youth. This school year, ASAP offers after school programming at 30 locations.