MetroWest YMCA to Pilot Afterschool Program with Miriam F. McCarthy Elementary School to Improve Student Achievement
FRAMINGHAM, MA, August 21, 2013 – The MetroWest YMCA in partnership with the Framingham Public Schools will offer an enhanced afterschool academic and enrichment program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade targeted to those who are most in need of support. The afterschool program is one of three pilot programs being tested by YMCA of the USA, the resource office for the nation’s Ys, as part of the nonprofit’s efforts to address gaps in academic achievement among the nation’s most disadvantaged youth.
“At the MetroWest YMCA, we know that the combination of enrichment and extended learning opportunities is essential to increasing children’s engagement and success in school. We are excited to expand our partnership with the McCarthy School to support more kids,” said Richard A. MacPherson, President & CEO of the MetroWest YMCA. “This program will help ensure that children in Framingham gain the skills they need to fulfill their potential in school and for successful living.”
Studies show that children in low-income communities often enter kindergarten behind their middle- and upper-income peers, and fall further behind as they move through grade levels. The MetroWest YMCA’s afterschool pilot program will provide the following:
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· Physical fitness
· Nutrition and wellness
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· Homework support
· Tutoring
· Math and literacy enrichment
· 21st century skills
· College and career exploration
· Leadership development
· Service-learning
· Arts education
· Global learning
· Parent and family engagement
While the MetroWest YMCA has provided quality afterschool programming for 21 years, the new program is delivered in deeper partnership with schools and has components more closely tied to school curriculum. To identify students for the program, the Y will work with the Framingham Public Schools who have been long-time partners in our School’s Out before and afterschool programs.
The afterschool pilot program model is based on the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati’s CincyAfterSchool program, which has demonstrated success in improving students’ academic performance. Data from an independent evaluator shows a majority of more than 5,000 students who participated in the program between 2004 and 2009 outperformed their public school peers in reading and math and improved report card grades. In addition to the afterschool program, YMCA of the USA is piloting new models in early learning readiness and summer learning loss prevention.
As a leading nonprofit focused on youth development, the Y nurtures the potential of every child and teen. The MetroWest YMCA is one of 28 YMCAs nationwide offering this afterschool pilot program this year. The MetroWest YMCA also offers educational programming for elementary school children at the Barbieri, Brophy, Hemenway and Potter Road elementary schools and at our Family Outdoor Center in Hopkinton School’s Out site to help youth succeed in school and life. All School’s Out sites are currently registering students for the upcoming start of school.
For more information, please contact Heidi Kaufman, Executive Director of Education at 508 879-4420 ext. 66 or visit www.metrowestymca.org.
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About the MetroWest YMCA: The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The MetroWest YMCA, with branches in Framingham and Hopkinton, serves more than 20,000 people annually with its programs, and has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
Contact the MetroWest YMCA at (508) 879-4420 or online at www.metrowestymca.org
Framingham branch: 280 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701
Family Outdoor Center in Hopkinton: 45 East Street, Hopkinton, MA 01758
