The “After the Bell” program will return for the 2021-22 school year in a new location on the third floor at the Prairie River Middle School. This free program available for all middle school students from right after school ends to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday on days school is in session will begin on Monday, October 4, 2021.
The “After the Bell” program offers participants 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 with assistance from community volunteers and high school students as available. 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.
Several local organizations and an individual made recent donations to the “After the Bell” program, making it possible to offer this program for the upcoming school year. These organizations include Lise Skofronick, Optimist Club of Merrill, T.B. Scott Library Board, and Turtle Lake Forestry LLC. In addition, funding through the Safe and Stable Families Grant through the Department of Social Services was received. To keep the cost of the “After the Bell” program free to participants, the program has relied on the generosity and support of individuals and organizations like those listed above to fund the program expenses. Funds are needed to cover the cost of snacks, program supplies, and paid staff who provide daily supervision for the program. Many of these organizations have supported the program each year for the 16 years the program has existed. If you are interested in volunteering or in making a donation to the “After the Bell” 2021-22 school year program, please contact Debbie Moellendorf at 715.539.1077 or via e-mail at [email protected] or Holly Luerssen at 715.539.1076 or via email at [email protected].