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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Neighborhoods Employment Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 18, 2006 Click image for larger view Lilac Meadow apartment manager Ricardo Gutierrez helps Omar Cortez, 7, with some homework during an after-school program for children who live in the complex. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) A PASSION FOR KIDS Howard School will rely on community members to help fund a program for low-income students By Paris Achen Mail Tribune Howard Elementary School will open an on-site after-school program for low-income students despite the recent rejection of a federal grant application by the Medford School District to fund such programs at Howard, Jefferson and Roosevelt elementary schools. The number of economically disadvantaged pupils at Howard, 286 Mace Road, swelled to 73 percent by the close of last school year, fueling concerns about providing extra academic help to a population of students prone to falling behind in their studies. "We're optimistic we'll be able to open a program in January," said Howard Principal Sallie Johnson. "If you're passionate about something, you'll find a way, and we're passionate about this." In lieu of federal funding, school officials and the organizers from Kids Unlimited of Oregon — the nonprofit group that operates after-school programs at Jackson, Oak Grove and Washington elementary schools — are turning to the community and local organizations to support the launch of a program at Howard. The program would likely build on a program now offered at the community center at Lilac Meadow, a low-income apartment complex at Cummings Lane catering to migrant workers. The complex offers a tutor, computers and soccer. Advertisement The cost of operating one of the existing after-school programs serving 80-100 pupils at Jackson, Oak Grove and Washington is about $75,000 per year, said Tom Cole, Kids Unlimited's executive director. Those programs are funded with a federal grant, which will expire in two years. Program proponents expect to open a more limited program at Howard. The program would operate three days per week instead of five, but organizers hope to expand the schedule in future years. Kids Unlimited opened its first after-school program in 1998 at Oak Grove with only $6,000, Cole said. "It's a buy-in process once people start seeing results," he said. "It's not traditional child care." The Howard program would focus on after-school tutoring and would depend heavily on donations and volunteers, Johnson said. "We have a lot of transient students," Johnson said. "Some have been at three or four schools in one year. Whenever you have a high mobility rate, there is a tendency to get behind." Activities such as art, dance, sports and field trips would serve to entice pupils to participate in the program, which is free-of-charge and voluntary. "The program will help keep kids out of trouble and get them connected to school, so they enjoy being here," Johnson said. In fall 2005, Howard had an economically-disadvantaged population of about 64.3 percent. By June 2006, the number of disadvantaged students at Howard had climbed to about 73 percent. Federal free and reduced lunch eligibility, which involves an application, is used to determine the number of economically disadvantaged students. One contribution to the growth spurt was the opening of Lilac Meadow by the Housing Authority of Jackson County, Johnson said. It is one of several low-income complexes operated by the housing authority in Howard's attendance area. Howard school officials hope to harness the resources of Kids Unlimited, the housing authority, 4-H Clubs and the fund-raising talents of the school's booster club to help launch the after-school program. "We are raising these kids to be our neighbors," Johnson said. "We want to give them a fighting chance." Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. 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