They stay to learn

Christine Carrillo

When the final bell at Joseph R. Perry Elementary School rings, it

doesn’t always mean school’s over. For some third-, fourth- and

fifth-grade students, it means another hour of learning will soon

commence.

Three days a week, for one hour after school, selected students

gather in three classrooms to focus on different areas of study, each

one a part of the school’s After School Achievement Academy.

“They are selected because of their achievement with state

testing,” said Elaine Keeley, the principal at Perry. “I have

students who have improved in their achievement and want to go back

into the program. They see it and they want the help ....We always

have a waiting list.”

Now in its fourth year at the school, the 20-week academy has

proven to be a successful aid for those students otherwise considered

at risk of retention.

Consisting of three different areas of study -- language, reading

and writing -- and a Higher Order Thinking program geared toward

enhancing research and computer skills with the use of Socratic

dialogue, students that may encounter difficulties in the classroom

have an additional environment in which to learn on a much more

individualized level.

“Let’s say ‘J,’ let’s say ‘J,’” said Ryan Sartwell, the teacher of

the reading and writing program. “What sound does a ‘J’ make?”

With three groups of four students working simultaneously on

reading, writing and language activities, Sartwell can work with her

students at a slower pace and adapt to their needs.

Nicole Voice, the teacher of the language program, works patiently

with her students to enhance their understanding of grammar.

“Great muscle verbs, you guys,” Voice said, as she tried to get

her students to understand the difference between passive and active

verbs. “Now someone give me a wimpy verb, you know, those verbs I

don’t want you guys to use.”

As the students clamored around the room trying to pick out those

pesky passive verbs that always seem to work their way into writing

(as clearly seen in this article), Voice managed to involve all of

the students in the program.

Whether it’s through the benefit of smaller classes or with the

benefit of the computer as a primary learning tool, as in Gary

Joyce’s class, Perry school students have benefited from the aid of

its after-school academy.