Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RPS program works because Kids Count
By Sherry Wachtler, Recorder Staff Writer
 |
| Ralston Middle School eighth-grader Sanjog Upadhyay prepares to plant a shrub in the courtyard at the school. Photo by Sherry Wachtler. |
|
|
Upadhyay is in his second year with the program held every day after school until 5 p.m.
Last Thursday, he was one of the Ram Hands working in the courtyard, a project initiated last year by a Ralston High School Eagle Scout beginning with the design of a pathway and one that Upadhyay wants to see completed.
Brush has been cleared, the pathway constructed and bushes are ready for planting.
Armed with paintbrushes and rakes, kids stained a picnic table, pulled weeds and readied the ground to plant several new shrubs, donated by Lowe’s, 72nd Street and Giles Road.
Overseeing the group is Mindy Minton, RMS seventh-grade social studies teacher.
“We hope to make this into an outdoor classroom,” Minton said. “It could be used for independent reading and writing.”
And they want to have it ready before the snow flies.
“I hope to see everything finished,” Upadhyay said. “That would be awesome.”
Rams Hands is just one of many Kids Count activities that draws a total of 50 students. Activities range from intramurals to study time, and there’s room for more students.
“There are the education pieces, the physical pieces, the social pieces and the fun part,” said Lisa Schroeder, Ralston Middle School assistant principal.
“When you have a staff that is as dynamic as ours is, it’s a natural fit to provide all kinds of activities for the kids.”
For students tired of sitting in class all day long, there are physical games and activities from intramurals to aerobics.
For students wanting to work on homework, there’s Rams After School Study Hall, with Voor Vart.
Ram Dance with seventh-grade science teacher Rebecca Hamata, who owned her own dance studio, is very popular.
Pen and Ink classes will begin in October with Jenna Lordemann. This group will put their creativity to work and produce written pieces to publish on the RMS Web site and may even enter writing contests.
There’s Art Club with David Kennedy, and Memories Club with Alicia George where students will learn new techniques in scrapbooking and pick up some photography tips too.
If students maintain a “B” in all subjects and show an interest, Martin Lesch invites them to take part in Chess Club. Due to the content and degree of difficulty for these classes, there are prerequisites for Robotics, Model Aviation and Electronics, all taught by Lesch at various times throughout the year.
Kids have discovered board games in “Games Galore.” Used to video games which aren’t found at Kids Count, students are finding old-fashioned board games to their liking.
Everyone meets in the cafeteria at 3:30 p.m., then head to their sessions. Just like at home, there are after-school snacks and drinks. If you’re wondering about the cost, it’s minimal, $10 per month per student.
The program is funded by the Ralston Schools Foundation and offers a safe, fun and educational alternative to parents for pre-teen care after school before parents arrive home from work.
Kids Count events are posted on the Ralston Middle School Web site www2.esu3.org/DWS/rmiddle under “Activities Calendar.”
Call the school office, 331-4701, for information about registering your child.
 |
 |
|
| Kriglstein and Radik honored by alumni group | In pursuit of Mr. RHS |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of omahanewsstand.com.
