PVF’s After School Program Grant awards public school teachers grants to start new after school programs at their school. Below are some of the grants we have awarded so far for the 2011-2012 school year:

“Write to Live” – Leadership Prep High, Oakland: Ms. Marsha Rhynes was awarded a grant for the “Write to Live” afterschool program, where high school students write a “living biography” tribute to elders, mentors and others who have influenced their lives.

The anthology will be a year-long after school project that promotes literacy, student leadership and includes poetry and essays. The writing will pay tribute to those who have encouraged youth to continue their education, made a positive difference in their lives, and inspired them to overcome challenges.

Oaktown Teen Times – Media Academy, Oakland: High school students at Media Academy received a grant to work with Oaktown Teen Times thanks to a grant request by Ms. Lisa Shafer.

With the grant, Oaktown Teen Times would host a weekly afterschool workshop for students. It would provide a professional journalist to mentor students on their stories and work with them to learn the layout and photography skills needed to publish the professional-quality paper.

Debate Club – Summit Prepatory School, Oakland: Ms. Shilpa Duvoor was awarded a grant for the Debate Club for freshman students.

Debate enhances and extends public speaking skills. Because many debate topics center on world events, debate seamlessly bridges language arts and world history.

Martial Arts and Meditation Class – Urban Promise Academy, Oakland: A grant was awarded to start a Martial Arts and Meditation Class for 6th and 7th graders.

Students will be provided with professional instruction in the following topics: active listening, impulse control and regulation, emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion and various physical and mental conditioning techniques.

Bicycle Club – Skyline High School, Oakland: Skyline High School already has an informal bicycle club, with students taking informal roles, but with a grant from PVF they will be able to buy equipment.

This club will be dedicated to bicycle maintenance and safety, and creativity. Students are interested in maintaining older bikes and building new bikes.

Math Games Program – Sandpiper Elementary, Redwood City: Ms. Margaret Wilson received an After School Program Grant to start an Afterschool Math Games Program for 3rd and 4th graders.

Students struggling with memorization of facts or with mathematical reasoning would be encouraged to attend and get practice in a fun, low-stress academic environment.

To learn more about the After School Program Grant, please visit our website.