After-school specials

In a darkened classroom at Franklin Elementary, a group of third- and fourth-graders learn the names of body parts.

"Donde es la cabeza?" trills a voice through a computer speaker.

Hands shoot up among the students, who know all or part of the sentence's translation, "Where is the head?" It's a surprising amount of enthusiasm given the time -- 4 p.m.

While most children their age are lounging in front of the television, these students are learning Spanish.

In other Franklin classrooms, students receive math tutoring, participate in a theater group, take computer lessons and prepare for the upcoming Missouri Assessment Program state tests.

The program, known as the Tiger Initiative, is made possible through a $2.2 million state grant designated to Franklin Elementary, Central High School and the Cape Girardeau Alternative Education Center.

The grant -- the largest the district has ever received -- is spread out between the 2004 school year and the 2009 year and shared among the three schools. The money has been used to purchase instructional materials, technology and also to implement after-school programs aimed at improving student achievement.

"We have noticed an improvement in grades, and the teachers have commented on improvements in individual students as well," said Julie Harrington, who directs the program at Franklin.

Between 65 and 80 of Franklin's 225 students participate in Tiger Initiative each day, Harrington said.

The Alternative Education Center is using the grant money to provide tutoring and expand programming to encompass more students.

At Central High School, this year's grant money has been used for a variety of before- and after-school programs, including tutoring and special classes such as scrapbook making, knitting and robotics. Around 40 students are currently participating.

Dr. Mike Cowan, principal at Central, said his school is one of a few high schools in the country offering an after-school program. Each of the sessions, from genealogy to "slam poetry," has to tie in to state standards.

Cowan said the program targets students who may not be involved in other co-curricular activities.

"We want more kids to have a stronger identity with our school, but also learning in general," Cowan said.

Freshman Sarah Keller said that's exactly what Tiger Initiative has done for her. Keller has participated in several of the after-school classes, including kickboxing and jewelry making.

"I get to meet new people here. I get tired of watching TV. It depresses me," she said.

cclark@semissourian.com

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