Middle school in Cape offering courses after class

Fifth- and sixth-graders are leaving Central Middle School these days with the newly acquired ability to cook dinner for their families, communicate in sign language and perform military marching drills.

More than 300 students -- about half the school's population -- signed up for a four-week after-school program that will run through Feb. 20.

The program is broken down into 15 "Anything Goes" clubs devoted to activities such as crocheting, card tricks, basketball and origami.

In a Kids in the Kitchen class last week, students learned how to make a pizza using a bagel, Ragu sauce and cheese.

"I really like to cook, and eat what I cook, so this is a fun class," said 11-year-old Rachael Irvin, a member of the cooking class.

Irvin and other students not only get to try their hand at cooking, they also learn about the countries their delicacies hail from. The bagel pizzas inspired a lesson on Italy.

Christina Dodd, a teacher at CMS who instructs a Kids in the Kitchen session, said the idea is to find inexpensive foods the students can make with minimal assistance.

The cooking class is one of the most popular clubs offered. So many students signed up that the school decided to hold the one-hour session three days a week.

"It shows the kids that school isn't always about class work," said Dodd. "They're really enjoying it."

This is the first year CMS has held an after-school program, but assistant principal Debbie Followell said it's something they hope to do annually. The school's PTA is sponsoring the event to repay students for participating in fund raisers earlier this year.

"It's a way of giving back to the kids," Followell said. "They have a good time at no cost. There's not a lot in the community offered for free."

The program is similar to one that the PTO at Jackson Middle School holds each year, although the clubs there are offered from January to May.

Followell said the school is looking for ideas for clubs next year from community members.

"I know there are people out there with talents who would have a blast doing this," Followell said.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128