The Fayette Tribune, Oak Hill, W.Va.

Local News

September 5, 2012

SALS kicks off after-school program

On Sept. 4, SALS began its 21st Century After School Program at the SALS Community Center (the former Beards Fork Elementary School on Beards Fork Road). This After School Program provides additional schoolwork and homework assistance by certified teachers and teachers’ aides four afternoons a week, Monday through Thursday.

Children from the Oak Hill and Valley District schools, grades K-12, are dropped off by their school buses each afternoon throughout the school year, which follows the Fayette County school schedule. In addition to homework and school work help, children participate in other activities which include various field trips, including to the Legislature to meet state representatives to see how laws are passed.

Other activities include computer work, art, health and nutrition, fitness with activities both inside and outside. Perhaps again this year, the students will be introduced, hands on, to the harp, thorough the music of John Lozier and his Harping for Harmony, which the children enjoyed in the past.

Upon arrival at the SALS Community Center, the children receive an afternoon snack, which is followed by a delicious, nutritious dinner based on the W.Va. Department of Education’s Office of Child Nutrition’s standards. Ever mindful of the obesity rates and the diabetics in our state, those standards, which have been followed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and lead the nation, helps children develop healthy eating habits by increasing the use of whole grains, fruits and vegetables while limiting consumption of fats, sugar and salt. Following dinner, the children are delivered to their homes by SALS vans between 6:30 and 7 p.m. each night.

In addition, one of the staff has been certified as a Teacher Researcher by NASA and GLOBE and the school has been designated a research site for the study of ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies. A hummingbird and butterfly habitat is available for outdoor studies. This past summer, SALS conducted its 3rd annual 3-day Food Fest program and the children had an exciting time.

For more information and to register your child, please call Charlene Newkirk, coordinator, at 304-779-2772 or come to the school.

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