PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The Middle School Afterschool Program has three components:
1. Academic Activities
2. Social Skills Development Activities
3. Recreation Activities
1. ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
The purpose of the academic component of the afterschool program is to provide support
for students so they can learn and achieve academic success in school.
The following guidelines should be followed:
 Academic activities should be available to all students in the Middle School
Afterschool Program.
 Certified instructors should be involved in the planning and evaluation of the
academic component
 Facilitators of academic activities should have the ability to utilize creative
approaches and methods of learning that will motivate and maintain the
interest of the participants.
 Appropriate visual media such as films, television, the Internet, newspapers,
and videotapes can be used to support the curriculum.
 Communication should be maintained between day school instructors and
afterschool staff to insure academic success for afterschool participants.
Academic activities may include the following:
 homework assistance
 remediation
 standardized test preparation
 academic games or other competition
 academic enrichment
 computer instruction
 science and technology classes
 career exploration
 reading laboratories
2. SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Through the social skills development activities, afterschool promotes social and emotional
competence, and helps students view school as a caring and supportive environment.
Afterschool participants should be given the opportunity to develop the following skills through
a variety of activities:
 conflict resolution skills
 anger management skills
 decision making and problem solving techniques
 leadership and team building skills
 refusal skills
 appropriate social interaction skills
 skills to promote life-long learning
 multicultural awareness and appreciation
 drug awareness and prevention
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The following programs are considered Social Skills
Development Programs:
 Conflict Resolution Classes
 Mediation Classes
 Health and Wellness Classes
 Etiquette and Modeling Classes
 Support Groups
 Service Learning Activities
3. RECREATION ACTIVITIES
Recreation is an integral component of any youth program. The inclusion of thoughtfully planned
recreational activities, provided by knowledgeable staff should be an integral component of all
afterschool programs. Although recreation can act as an incentive or reward, it is much more
than that. For some youth this may be one of the few arenas in which they experience success.
For all youth, recreation programming can provide the following benefits:
 Develops self-esteem and positive self-image, which can positively improve other
areas of life such as school performance.
 Develops positive peer support groups.
 Provides positive release for negative or pent-up emotions.
 Provides leadership opportunities.
 Provides positive adult role models in a non-threatening environment.
 Enhances physical, cognitive, and emotional skills.
 Reduces feelings of alienation and loneliness.
 Promotes ethnic and cultural harmony.
 Provides opportunities for positive family interactions.
 Aids in stress reduction.
 Develops life-long interests that contribute to a balanced, meaningful life.
 Helps reduce the high cost of crime and vandalism.
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The following guidelines reflect a quality afterschool
component:
1. Recreation activities are planned based on assessment of the
participant’s interest, needs, and abilities.
2. A wide variety of activities is offered including opportunities for:
 Academic support that supports and enhances the school day
 active indoor and outdoor sports and games
 visual and performing arts (drama, dance, music, crafts)
 clubs, collections, hobbies
 non-competitive, team building activities
 community service projects
 personal development
 introduction to other cultures
 other skill development (ex: cooking, computers, sign language)
 special events and field trips
3. Participants are given a choice when selecting activities.
4. Emphasis is on fun, skill development, and fully engaging each child.
5. Recreational activities are supervised by staff with experience and/or education in
recreation or related field.
6. Opportunities for staff to receive continued training are provided and encouraged.
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