Appreciation for AfterSchool professionals in Bulloch County

Recreation Department program serves 930 kids daily

A staff member at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, Dakota Beever, helps kids make Cascarones around Easter time at the school's AfterSchool Program run by the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department. Cascarones are a Mexican tradition of hollowed-out, confetti-filled, decorated Chicken Eggs used in Easter egg hunts. - photo by Photo Courtesy Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department

After school photo Web — A staff member at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, Dakota Beever, helps kids make Cascarones around Easter time at the school's AfterSchool Program run by the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department. Cascarones are a Mexican tradition of hollowed-out, confetti-filled, decorated Chicken Eggs used in Easter egg hunts. - photo by Photo Courtesy Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department

Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, which operates the AfterSchool Program in all public elementary schools in Bulloch County, is joining with the National AfterSchool Association to celebrate the professionals that are at the heart of afterschool programs this week during Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week.

“We believe afterschool professionals make a difference in the lives of young people,” said Mike Rollins, director of the Parks and Rec Department. “We encourage everyone to join us this week in thanking the afterschool professionals in their lives.”

An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year. Locally, Parks and Rec cares for more than 930 children per day at 11 different sites. Today, afterschool programs are viewed as much more than just childcare. They are widely credited as the way to enhance education in STEM, literacy, the arts, social and emotional learning, health and wellness, and more. With that demand comes increased responsibility on the estimated 850,000 professionals who are making a difference in the lives of our children.

The Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department employs one full-time and 118 part-time staff to care for and guide these AfterSchool participants.

“Our staff consists largely of college students who have a desire to see children grow and excel academically, socially, recreationally and responsibly,” said AfterSchool Program Coordinator, Joy Deal.

Each day, the SBCPRD AfterSchool Program offers homework time, as well as, enrichment activities in math, science, music, art and computers. “As a recreation-based program, we also offer lots of fun activities—including cooperative games and other skill-based activities,” says Deal. Clubs are also offered each semester for six weeks. Clubs offer a more detailed experience with enrichment activities. Some of the clubs offered are: Mad Science, Storybook, Superheroes, Wildlife, Sports, Cooking and many more.

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is a joint effort of community partners, afterschool programs, youth and child care workers, and individuals who have committed to dedicating time to recognize and appreciate those who work with youth during out-of-school hours. The week is marked by celebrations and public relations efforts to encourage people to thank afterschool professionals serving children in programs and organizations across the nation.

“We encourage those who are currently enrolled in the AfterSchool program to thank those professionals that work with the children each day,” Deal said. “And we wish to educate those who are not aware of our program of the type of activities we of