PASADENA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
GARDENS' AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
EAST HARRIS COUNTY YOUTH PROGRAM
C.A.S.E.
Gardens Elementary Mission:
The mission of Gardens Elementary is to provide a positive learning climate where children are taught skills and processes for learning that will last a lifetime.
Gardens Elementary After School Program Goals:
The goals for the after school program at Gardens Elementary are the following:
To improve the students' skills and achievement in their grade level.
To improve students' TAKS scores in math, reading, and writing
To raise students' self-esteem level and
To establish and maintain teacher/parent involvement
Program Overview:
The Gardens Elementary After School Program, funded through the East Harris County Youth Program, began in February, 2000, with only a group of thirty third grade students. The program was established in order to provide additional help by helping them with their homework as well as providing TAKS practice materials in math, language arts, and reading, access to computers and software, and participation in recreational sports. Students are also provided with snacks before beginning their prospective activities. Every year we are continuing to provide the same assistance, and we continue to grow in that we have added fourth grade students to the program, as well as more staff members to better assist all the students participating in this program. The duration of the program includes summer sessions now, as well as the academic year.
Although the majority of the funding is provided by East Harris County and through grants, we at Gardens supplement that amount by many fund-raising efforts. We have a nacho sale every month. During PTA functions or other school activities, we manage to take over the concessions and man the booths. Once a year, we have a brochure sale. The money that we collect from these efforts is used for incentives and teacher resources. We have also been known to go scavenging for discarded worksheets and spare materials from anyone willing to share with us.
If you wish to contribute, please contact lrosales@pasadenaisd.org .
Year-round benefits
We also continue the program during the summer. Every summer the children attend an 8 hour day, 5 days a week. We service around 100 students during the summer and have a field trip on a weekly basis. In 2004, the summer school children got to visit places they had never been, like a fish hatchery, the children's museum, the Varner Hogg Plantation in West Columbia, and the Brazosport Museum in Lake Jackson (see Campus News 2004). During the school year, the students are involved in a 3 hour, 4 day a week program, and at least once a quarter participate in exciting activities and field trips. In 2004-2005, for example, they attended the "Commissioner's Cup Celebrity Basketball Game" in October, a Bicycle Raffle in December, and a trip to the Rodeo in March (see Campus News 2004).
Gardens Elementary was the first school in PISD with the East Harris County Youth Program. Since then, Kruse Elementary has also instituted a Youth Program. The faculty and staff at Gardens appreciate the support and assistance of the County Commissioners' Office. Our children will benefit greatly.
Program Curriculum Planning and Development
Each grade level and recreational teacher is responsible for teaching, planning, and implementing a full program of structured classroom activities appropriate for the assigned age group. Grade level teachers and assistants will provide help to the students with their homework as well as grade level TAKS practice material. The recreational sports team is responsible for preparing all the students for future competitive games with other after school campuses participating in the East Harris County Youth Program.
Program Communication with Parents
In our program here at Gardens, it is of utmost importance that teachers and staff establish and maintain positive communication with our students' parents. Teachers and staff will utilize pick-up times to share positive information and/or concerns with the students' parents.
Updated 12.7.06
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