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Giving kids a leg up on learning Medford After School will provide programs for disadvantaged students By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> In the upcoming school year, three Medford elementary schools with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students will offer after-school programs to help them receive a fair shot at academic success. Superintendent Brian Shumate said although there are already after-school programs offered by Kids Unlimited and the YMCA, it was up to the school district to provide that kind of support to its own students. "While we certainly appreciate our community partners, it’s really something the school district should be working to solve," Shumate said. Called Medford After School, the programs will start at Washington, Howard and Roosevelt elementary schools. Academic support and enrichment programs will be provided until 5:30 p.m. five days a week at an initial cost of $300,000. Unlike programs offered by Kids Unlimited and the YMCA, MAS will be available to eligible students for free. A snack and a third meal will be free, as are the rest of the meals at the Title I schools. MAS is looking to continue partnering with Kids Unlimited for recreational and physical activities, but will also focus on providing academic support to the students. Jeanne Grazioli, former principal of Oak Grove Elementary who became the district's elementary education director in July, said the academic support will closely align with the students' classes. "It's more of an extension from their learning from the day," Grazioli said. "Part of it is homework help and part of it is based on help for specific needs." Each school will have about six people managing the programs daily, under the direction of coordinators hired by the principals. Washington Elementary Principal Sallie Johnson said a number of qualified candidates from the district applied to be coordinators.  "I thought one of the biggest roadblocks would be finding someone with experience and qualifications," Johnson said. "In fact, there were many people we could have hired." Space and resources are limited, so Grazioli said the schools plan on starting with about 60 students per site. Students will be accepted based on need, attendance record and family situation. Students can begin applying for the MAS at their schools on Aug. 19. The schools are unlikely to be short of applicants. According to data from the Oregon Department of Education on the 2013-2014 school year, 79 percent of Howard students, 85 percent of Roosevelt students and 95 percent of Washington students were considered economically disadvantaged. The coordinators and Grazioli plan on tracking the efficacy of the program through the students' grades, test scores and a series of surveys. Shumate said the program aims to contribute to tackling a more long-term problem, though. "Right now we’re not about reaching every kid or our graduation rate wouldn’t be as low as it is," he said in reference to the district's 65 percent graduation rate. "I think it’s going to be a great service to get kids off on the right foot." Reach reporting intern Kaylee Tornay at [email protected]. By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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