The AfterSchool programs at Brooklet, Sallie Zetterower and Julia P. Bryant elementary schools recently were accredited by the Council on Accreditation, a national agency that evaluates after school programs.
    The Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees the AfterSchool program, made the announcement after the Council spent months of reviewing and analyzing the operations at each school. The AfterSchool program at Nevils Elementary received accreditation in 2010.
    “The school principals, AfterSchool staff and other school or BOE personnel worked tirelessly to prepare the sites for this visit,” said Joy Deal, program supervisor for the Rec Department. “Our staff endured hours of planning meetings to make sure everything we do day in and day out is above and beyond national standards.”
    The Recreation Department began offering after school programming in 1989 in four schools with less than 75 children. The current program now operates at nine schools and the Brooklet Rec. Center, serving more than 600 children.
    The Council on Accreditation was founded in 1977 to set up a formal method of evaluating and accrediting various organizations involved with both child and adult care.
    In addition to recognizing the AfterSchool programs at Brooklet, Sallie Z. and Julia P. for high performance standards, the Accreditation Site Team reported being impressed with the collaboration between the Rec Department and the Bulloch Board Of Education.
    The collaboration was evaluated as one of the best and most productive in the state — not only for the AfterSchool Program—but for summer day camps, athletic programs, facility usage and more.
    “Bulloch County, SBCPRD and BOE strive to provide the very best in services and education,” said Mike Rollins, director of the Rec Department. “We have found that the best way to benefit everyone involved is through teamwork and we’ve done that with many projects throughout the years.”   
    Many of the AfterSchool staff are Early Childhood degree majors at Georgia Southern University. Most staff work long-term with the program and see its benefits.
    Patrice Robinson worked on the AfterSchool staff for several years. She is the current program director for the AfterSchool Program at Cole Arts and Science Academy in Denver, Co. She said she was offered her position because the Academy was impressed by her former training and experience.
    “I know sometimes as employees we may complain about the training days and numerous meetings, but I can honestly say that every minute was worth it,” Robinson said. “(The Statesboro Rec Department’s) dedication to ensuring that employees provide a safe and fun learning environment has left a lasting impression on myself, and I hope to some day leave the same imprint on someone else.” 
    Fees for the Council on Accreditation were funded through the American Recovery and
    Reinvestment Act which was awarded through the state’s Bright from the Start program.
    “Congratulations to Joy Deal and her staff on providing an AfterSchool Program that we can all be proud of,” Rollins said.