Quest program helps keep students active after school

An outcry of support for Project Quest last spring has turned into an active year for the after-school program in the Emporia Public Schools. After-school activities are offered at all Emporia 's K-8 schools and program coordinators report that student participation is strong.

Project Quest was set to end last spring at the conclusion of a four-year federal grant. Because of public support, the program was continued and expanded through the district's budget and funding from the Juvenile Justice Authority and the Lyon County Attorney's Office. The $60,000 JJA grant and $10,000 county contribution were specifically earmarked for the 10-14-age-group at Lowther Intermediate and Emporia Middle Schools .

Quest representatives reported on the program's success at the three targeted during a recent meeting of the Community Corrections Board, the agency that submitted the JJA grant.

“Quest is going strong and we want to tell you how much we appreciate your support,” said Diana Jones, district curriculum specialist who oversees the program. “Without the JJA and your support, it would have been very difficult to achieve what we have.”

Jones told the Corrections Board the goals for those three schools are to reduce the unstructured and unsupervised time after school and to increase their academic development. Activities fall into two categories: tutoring and extended learning for students who need more academic support and supervised enrichment activities for any student enrolled at the school.

Jones said the goal is for at least 85 percent of students to attend for a minimum of 30 days. Attendance at the three schools is about 75 percent, based on data collected at the end of the first semester. Students who have attended at least 30 days are showing improved grades and less absenteeism at school.

All Quest activities are tied to academic standards. Some of the classes offered at Lowther Intermediate Schools include cooking, fishing, photography, theater, cheerleading, a “mad scientist” club and arts and crafts.

“What we're trying to do is make sure learning is taking place but not have it look like school. We want to make it fun,” said Yvonne Brooks, Quest coordinator at Lowther. “We work very closely with the principals and student support specialists to plan the activities.”

Quest also includes some special events, such as a trip to a dinner theater in Wichita. “These are opportunities that some kids might never have,” Brooks said.

Lowther also has started a K-Kids service club and students Kate Decker and Emily Giffin told the Corrections Board about some projects the club has completed, such as removing grafitti and picking up trash in the community, organizing a food and clothes drive for hurricane victims, and participating in the Project Emporia food drive for the Salvation Army.

At Emporia Middle School , students can participate in similar after-school activities. These include computer club, robotics club, a crime scene investigation (CSI) forensics class, yearbook, student newspaper and athletics. Intramural sports are one of the biggest draws. A group of students is currently collecting historical artifacts about Emporia for use on a future web site. Middle school programs were extended to two hours this year and Quest coordinator Dawn Young said daily participation is about 125 students.

Students who participate in Quest receive a snack and a shuttle bus is provided for students who need transportation home.

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