NEWS

Learning Beyond the Classroom

7/11/2003

By Signal Staff

The future of Santa Clarita is changing.

For the past year, local young people ages seven to 17 participated in the Boys and Girls Club’s Project Learn, a program designed to help improve the academic performance of its participants by developing a passion for learning outside of the classroom.

“Part of what we do is try to bring (the children) educational activities during afterschool hours,” said Kalene Veloz, Project Learn coordinator.

The project features five major components: Homework help and tutoring; learning and leisure activities, including reading and writing exercises; discussion groups and games utilizing cognitive skills; parent and adult involvement; collaboration with schools; and an incentives aspect. Additionally, educationally-oriented field trips are scheduled, like survival classes at the Windwolves preserve in Fort Tejon and trips to tide pools.

“We try to bring fun activities up a level to give an educational purpose behind them,” Veloz said.

The origin of the nationwide program lies in a grant from the JC Penny corporation. The company’s Afterschool branch provided grants worth $10,000 each to 60 select Boys and Girls Club locations. In Santa Clarita, Project Learn receives additional funding from 21st Century Community Learning Center, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon.

The impact of the project can be seen in particpants’ grade point averages. Doctor Steven Schinke of Columbia University conducted a study which revealed a 15 percent increase in the overall GPA of Project Learn students and an 87 percent reduced rate of truancy.

Veloz has been refreshingly impressed by the results.

“I’ve been surprised because, at first, there was some hesitancy that the kids might not want to participate, but yesterday teenagers were in here cutting out words from newspapers in a phonics exercise.”

With reading activities including introductions to Shakespeare and incentives such as gift certificates to Barnes and Noble, program members like Hart High School freshman Raymond Mercado experienced firsthand the benefits of Project Learn.

“My spelling has improved,” he said. “I was at a second-grade reading level and now (after one year), I am at a fifth-grade reading level.”

However, despite the myriad of educational programs, Veloz insists the project extends deeper.

“Project Learn isn’t just one activity,” she said.  “It’s the philosophy behind all our activities.”

Courtesy of The Signal. Reprinted with permission.

homemlmauctionmlmabout usmlmcontact usmlmwebmaster