The CONNECTIONS After School Program
Encouraging Learning and Exploration
The CONNECTIONS After School Program operates Monday through Thursday, from October through June. Each day the program begins at 2:52 pm and runs until 5:50 p.m.
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Click to read our Program Information Sheet, which contains the mission statement and the philosophy of the CONNECTIONS After-School Program. |
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The After-School Program |
In addition to homework support, snack, and transportation, participants will be able to choose from a wide variety of Enrichment Club activities.
These activities include:
Gardening, Robotics, Culinary Arts, Youth Council, Lacrosse and Leadership, Jewelry Making, Outdoor Adventure, Hip Hop Dance, Art Explorations, Mad Science, CSI, FitMath/Sports, and much more.
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| Click here to download the general registration form. Please print and complete the form. Completed forms can be returned to your child's school. |
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Students are cooking up a storm!
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The CONNECTIONS Program is offered in the following four school-based sites.
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Grades Served |
Get the work done, then have some fun!
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Kelly
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5-8 |
Peck
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2-5 |
White
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2-5 |
Morgan
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2-5 |
For more information, contact:
CONNECTIONS in the News!
The CONNECTIONS Program was one of two after school programs nationwide to become a recipient of the 2008 William S. White 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program of Distinction award by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
The William S. White Award has traditionally been awarded to an individual who has dedicated his/her work, time, and effort in the service of children, schools, and communities. To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program, the Mott Foundation has opted to recognize 21st CCLC programs that have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality programming that exemplifies the goals of the 21st CCLC grant. The CONNECTIONS Program is honored to have been a recipient of this prestigious award.
Read the following news articles about the CONNECTIONS Program to gain insight about our exciting offerings.
Connections Families Learn Together at Science Center, The Sun p. 9
Expanding Your Future College Awareness Workshops’ Offered to Holyoke Students: The Sun p. 8
Building Design Club Engages Holyoke Connections Students: The Sun p. 10
Connections After-School Program Supports Conflict Resolution: The Sun p. 9
Connections After-School Programs form Strong Five-College Partnerships: Town Reminder p. 4
Connections Students Visit UMass Amherst: The Sun p. 9
Students enjoy a trip to UMASS, Amherst.
Holyoke Students Considering Future: The Republican
Connections After-School Program Students Go Mad in the Lab: The Sun p. 10
Chicago Author to Teach at CONNECTIONS After-School Program: The Sun p. 9
CONNECTIONS Priorities:
The CONNECTIONS Program is held accountable by the Massachusetts Department of Education for helping program participants improve in the following areas:
- The quality of homework
- Math Problem Solving Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication Skills
- Behavior in the Classroom
- Engagement in Learning
- Communication Skills
- Behavior in the Program
- Relations with adults
Input is solicited from students’ school day teachers, as well as after-school staff through the use of a survey tool (Survey of After-School Youth Outcomes or SAYO) developed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to measure success in achieving program goals. The SAYO is a survey allowing school day teachers and after-school staff members to rate the program in terms of achieved outcomes for the students.
In addition to the SAYO survey, the program garners student input through the use of an anonymous survey (SAYO-Youth Survey) available online to 5th-8th graders. Through the survey, youth rate their challenges in the program and are able to take a leadership role by choosing potential activities for the program. Youth also provide feedback on aspects of the program that they enjoy, and what they would like to see changed. The use of the SAYO-Youth Survey online enables students to rate the program anonymously, guaranteeing honest results. A sample of the data collected in the SAYO-Youth Surveys in 2011 can be found below in the following graphs.
An APT observation tool is also used to assess elements of the program that contribute to our continuous improvement efforts and programmatic areas that could be improved. The results of our evaluation process over the past several years have been very positive. The data indicates that the CONNECTIONS Program has been effective in supporting academic achievement and social/emotional skill building for program participants.
Tutoring/ Mentoring in CONNECTIONS
Justin from Hampshire College works with
Morgan students.
Students and tutors from Morgan
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Are you interested in working with the CONNECTIONS program as a tutor/mentor? Do you want to teach students a new activity? Are you interested in working with youth? If yes, then you should consider being a tutor/mentor for the CONNECTIONS After-School Program for the upcoming school year. Below are a few documents that can give you more information on the various opportunities available.
Helpful Links:
CONNECTIONS Work-Study Positions
Tutor / Mentor Job Description
Prospective Tutor Questionnaire
General Program Information
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Resources/ Mentoring for Other After-School Programs
Feel free to use and distribute the following resources! These links are most useful for other After-School and Out-of-School Time programs. If you would like additional resources and cannot find them posted here, please feel free to contact Jorge Castellano or Jennifer Scott.
If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Scott,
Assistant Director
