Several local organizations made recent donations to the “After the Bell” program making it possible for us to continue offering this after school program for middle school youth. These organizations included the Knights of Columbus, Optimist Club of Merrill, Sierra Pacific Windows, T.B. Scott Library Board, T.B. Scott Library Staff, and Turtle Lake Forestry LLC. In addition, we have received support through the Safe and Stable Families grant through the Department of Social Services to help with supplies for the program. To keep the cost of the “After the Bell” program free to participants, the program has relied on the generosity and support of organizations like those listed above to fund the program expenses. Funds are needed to cover the cost of snacks, program supplies and paying staff who provide daily supervision for the program. Many of these organizations have supported the program each year for the sixteen years the program has existed.
“After the Bell” is a free after school program available for all middle school students whether they attend public or parochial school from 3:05 – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Room 118 (enter the school through Door 14) at the Prairie River Middle School on regular school days. The program offers middle school youth a safe, easily accessible place to go after school where they have the opportunity to participate in positive enrichment activities and to learn new skills. Participants are supervised by an adult supervisor(s) with assistance from community and high school volunteers. Each day the program offers students a place to choose to participate in enrichment activities, do their homework, play board games, visit with friends, and/or have a snack. Students do not need to attend the program every day but can choose which days they wish to attend.
If students are interested in participating, they can pick up information and required forms in the Prairie River Middle School office, T.B. Scott Library, the UW-Madison Division of Extension office located in the Lincoln County Service Center or the first day they attend the program. Forms are also available on the Extension website at http://lincoln.uwex.edu/, click on 4-H Youth Development, then After the Bell Program. Completed forms must be turned in the second time you attend the program.
If you are interested in volunteering or in making a donation to the “After the Bell” 2019-20 school year program, please contact Ann Stoeckmann, Program Coordinator at (715) 536-3016 or via e-mail at [email protected] or Debbie Moellendorf at the Extension office at (715) 539-1077 or via e-mail at [email protected].