Friday, September 21, 2012

'Before and After' program draws praise
Group donates $1,500 to assist Narragansett's homeless students


News staff photo by MARK HARANAS
Members of the local community group Citizens4Templeton deliver a $1,500 check to John Columbus, left, chairman of the Narragansett School Committee, to provide aid the homeless children in the school district, Wednesday. The group raised the money during the Templeton Arts and Crafts festival earlier this year.
News Staff Writer




TEMPLETON — Narragansett Regional School District officials are commending the newly implemented Before and After Program, which allows for earlier drop-off and later pickup times for parents.

“The parents are extremely happy, and the kids are having a blast,” said Julie Waskiewicz, director of the program. “They get out of work and pick their child up and their homework’s done ... The children are basically getting private tutoring lessons.”

The district created the program to ease the burden on elementary and middle school parents by allowing a 7:30 a.m. drop-off time and 5 p.m. pickup. The program is hosted in Phillipston, Baldwinville and at Narragansett Middle School.

“It’s going extremely well,” said Superintendent Ruth Miller. “We have over 50 students enrolled in Baldwinville ... upwards to 12 students in Phillipston, which is a lot for Phillipston.”

Ms. Miller said the middle school was lacking in enrollment, but believes it will gain interest in the future.

The program allows students to have breakfast, provides a wide variety of activities and offers assistance with completing homework.

In other business, the committee accepted a $1,500 check from the local community group Citizens4Templeton, who raised the money to help homeless students in the district.

“This is going to mean a lot for the children here, and we want to thank you for all your time and effort,” said John Columbus, chairman of the committee.

5 comments:

  1. This is great to see!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. This was a great effort by the members of our group. There are alot of families who are having a hard time, especially if they have lost their homes. We have about fourty children living in homes with other family members, two families to a house or apartment, some living in other places but their own homes. The Citizen 4 Templeton decided to gather some really nice things, all from local businesses, and sell chances at the craft fair. We did very well for our first effort. People bought chances, and others donated money. One lady even donated a box of supplies. I have talked to Ms. Miller, she and I have decided the school nurses are going to be incharge of the program. The money is in its own account, it will not be used for anything but what the kids need. We talked about using the money for things like winter jackets, sox, sneakers. Anything that the nurses see as a need. Kids having a hard time, tend to see the nurses more than the other kids. The teachers can also speak up if they see that a child needs something. We tried to cover the bases. Next week, I am going to Wallmart and check with Olympia sports to see if they can help us out. This is the second fundraiser we have done. The first was to help a local family that had a illness in the family. Anyone that knows of someone that needs help, let one of us know. I was very proud of our team. They turned out to be super fundraisers, and had a good time doing it. Bev

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    2. We need more of this spirit in town. We all in this together, so lets try to help each other out and make life a little bit better. I think C4T is doing a great thing. It would be great to see some more people join the fundraising efforts. All politics aside, everybody wins when the primary goal is to help one another.

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  2. Also if any big hearted people or business would like to donate please do so!It all helps more if we do. The thought of where templeton is at this time motivates me to do this work. Join with us and others for the sake of Templeton and you neighbors,we need help. PLEASE join or donate.All the help is appreciated greatly.Thank you all for your help.
    Citizens 4 Templeton member
    Be inspired to partisipate with us
    Dave Smart

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