Kevin Jensen completing a test in the Central High School after school program.

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Bay City Central High School students hit the books

21st Century Learning Program enters its third year at BCC.

December 10, 2012
By: Taylor Lutz

When the final bell rings at Bay City Central, more than a few students take advantage of the immense number of opportunities waiting for them in the school library; here the 21st Century Learning Program has been taking place since the fall of 2009.

The program, administered by Project Director Matt Alman, along with the help of teachers and volunteers, gives students the chance to get homework done after school in a safe and relaxed study environment.

Students who drop by the after school program at the end of the day have the chance to ask questions and get assistance from a "paid staff of teachers who work one-on-one and give homework help" said Alman. Alman also stated that his main goal for starting the after school program was to "provide them [students] a safe place to go after school, and the resources they need."

Students can testify to the effectiveness of the program, Junior Essence Turner said, "I come here four out of four days a week, even when I don't have homework. It's a good place to concentrate."

Alman notes that while "The majority of students come for math lab and homework help," students are also given the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities held in the after school program.

"We do a lot with technology, digital music, and clay animation" said Alman. The after school program also has specific themes for certain days, including video game day and cooking day. The latter being an all inclusive cooking experience, "the students cook the food, prepare it, eat it, and then clean up." Turner notes that this activity is one of her personal favorites, "I usually cook, and I love arts and crafts, they have that too."

Alman hopes that these activities, as well as the addition of new resources such as i-pads will "provide them [students] with experiences that they might not normally have on their own." The after school program's student President Uriah Larason expressed his belief in the programs affect on the students, saying, "I feel that it is probably keeping a lot of kids from getting into trouble" and went on to later say that "It is a great program to be a part of."

For more information regarding the Central High School 21st Century After school program, click the link here.