Photo by Skip Lawrence Thurmont Middle School sixth-grader Holly Warholic is assisted by program assistant Raven Conner. Thurmont Middle School has enhanced after-school programs thanks to a recent state grant.

Rooms that serve as learning places during the school day transform into Thurmont's 21st Century Community Learning Center four afternoons a week.

Administered by the Mental Health Association of Frederick County and funded by a Maryland State Department of Education grant, the center blends academics with recreation enrichment programs for an average of 50 children each day.

"It's a wonderful program that provides additional academic and social support for our school," Principal Barbara Keiling said.

When the school day ends, participants wind down during snack time before heading to a one-hour academic enrichment program. After hitting the books, completing homework, studying for a test or receiving extra math or reading instruction, children participate in a variety of enrichment clubs.

"Those are the most popular with the students," Keiling said.

In the second cycle of the program that started Dec. 1, students have their choice of four different activities offered each day. Monday offers basketball, board games, sculpture and 4-H Club. On a recent Tuesday visit, children enjoyed speed ball and digital photography, got some practice being movie critics, and received mentoring through a program called Blazer Buddies, with Hood College students serving as mentors.

"The whole point of the program is twofold," said Russ Hylton of the Mental Health Association. "We want the students to meet or exceed their academic expectations, and we want to provide them with some social support."

Competitive process

The Mental Health Association was thrilled to win the grant, which awards $375,000 a year for three years, Hylton said.

"It was a very competitive process, with about 50 applicants," he said. "And only five or six grants were awarded."

Thurmont and Walkersville middle schools were identified as schools that could benefit from such an after-school program, mainly because of their relative geographic isolation, Hylton said.

Those communities are farther away from many programs and services that families might need.

Grant money pays for salaries, equipment and supplies, food, field trips and transportation, Hylton said. The program is free to students.

Each school has a site director, three to four youth development workers and three to four program assistants who work directly with students.

"The center is staffed with many of our teachers," Keiling said. "That level of comfort, that relationship piece, is already in place."

The program is tailored to meet the needs of individuals, Keiling said.

"Some kids might just focus on homework, while others are receiving interventions in reading and math," she said. "Our teachers are tracking our students on a weekly basis, so they know where each child is and what they need to succeed."

The transportation element is also key, the principal said. Thurmont's attendance area stretches from the Pennsylvania border to the north, Washington County to the west, Carroll County to the east and the City of Frederick to the south.

"Geographically, our students are really spread out and it is impossible for many of them to participate in after-school activities," she said. "The bus transportation changes that."

Open to everyone

The program is open to all students, but some are specifically targeted, Hylton said.

"We're hoping to reach the kids who get free and reduced-price lunches, special education students, and kids who might have below-grade level MSA scores," he said. "We're really hoping to provide a little extra support to kids who could benefit from that, while also having a little bit of fun."

Sixth-grader Patrick Bresnahan signed up for photography this cycle, but found it a little too boring. He asked to sign up for something else, and wanted to give the movie criticism class a try.

He said he appreciates the help with his homework, and said he would just be at home waiting for his stepfather to come home.

"And I've made some new friends that I didn't know from class," Patrick said.

Keiling said a school team identified some students with academic and social needs, as well as those who have significant economic disadvantages.

"That would include kids who are doing great in the classroom but don't have the opportunity to participate in other activities," she said.

Hylton and Keiling both said community support of the program has been positive.

"Our parents are very supportive and happy the program is here," Keiling said. "We're very fortunate to have won the grant for our students -- we have great kids here at Thurmont."