Four local organizations and individuals 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 through the remainder of the school year. These organizations included St. Paul’s Ladies Aid, Social Topics, Mark Skofronick, Church Mutual Christmas Is Committee and the O’ Tannenbaum Tour. 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 utilized to cover the cost of snacks, program supplies and paying staff who provide daily supervision for the program.
“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.