Sunday, August 18, 2024
When the last bell rings and school lets out for the day, the Evant Independent School District Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) program begins getting started with interactive learning, which is aligned to their school curriculum.
The local program is administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and provides homework help, tutoring, and other targeted needs-based assistance. It also offers enrichment activities such as sports, clubs, and youth development projects that build character, confidence, and leadership skills.
“For many of our families this is a huge assistance in respect to families that would have latch key students if we didn't have the program,” Evant ACE Director Faith Massingill said. “We have certified teachers and program aides that care about our kids, and this is important for our kids to know they have an adult that cares for them besides their parents. “
This past school year, the Evant ISD Elementary served 43 students and 96 parents with the junior high and high school serving 33 students and 37 parents/families.
“We anticipate that we will have at least this number or more for the coming school year,” Massingill said.
When school is open, Evant offers a morning program from 6:45-7:45 a.m. and in the afternoons it will continue from 4:15-6:16 p.m.
“Adult classes are offered for only one or two days but often run in the afternoon with the ACE program till 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.,” she said. “For our adults, we offer fun activities like homecoming mum, making donuts with dad, and more. We also offer GED and ESL.”
The ACE program has obtained a grant that offers programming, which is academic, enrichment-filled, college- and career-based, and involved character/behavior classes. The enrichment is everything from graphic design, photography, crafts, art, Grossology (fun science), gardening, physical education like soccer, and much more.
“This last year we offered guitar classes, and each student received a free guitar,” she said.
The after-school program also has opportunities for students to get help with homework and tutorial assistance.
The program took field trips on Mondays at least once a month - from visiting colleges like Baylor to pumpkin farms and more. During the summertime, field trips are done typically once a week.
To sign up to be involved in the free ACE program, the only requirement is that your child must be a student at Evant ISD.
“Throughout the year, we keep enrollment open, and they can pick up a form from the staff or the front office,” she said.
“For Evant, the ACE program is critical,” she expressed. “For many families and students, this is a safe place for them if parents are working. They can get help daily with schoolwork, have fun with friends, and often have a light meal that will carry them over till supper at home.”
