After-school program brings art activities
Contributed
Students in the RCS after-school program are getting to enjoy the instruction of a professional artist in Jessica Peppers, who serves as one of the advisory council members.
When it comes to the After-School Program in Russellville City Schools, students are enjoying access to a variety of educational opportunities, with hands-on learning that makes the “lessons” not seem like lessons at all. Among the subjects students get to enjoy is the arts.
Administrator Paula Young said the advisory council for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which funds the after-school program, has been a vital part of providing programming for students who are enrolled.
“We met with our advisory council at the end of November to give them information about what we would be doing in our after-school program and discuss how they can get involved throughout the year,” Young said. “Some of them come to read to the students during after school; others will be involved this summer in a variety of community projects; and some, like Jessica (Peppers), will be coming once a month to teach art.”
Peppers, an art teacher who has previously worked with students at Phil Campbell Elementary and currently teaches at Lauderdale County, recently introduced the children to “warm” versus “cool” colors and will be bringing a variety of projects to the students.
Young said the advisory council also includes the Franklin County Extension Office, Russellville Public Library, Matt Cooper and CB&S Bank and Addie’s Flip Tip & Tap, among several others.
“They serve on our committee to give us advice, participate in our program and serve as mentors for our students in a variety of ways throughout the school year and summer program,” Young said. “We meet a couple times a year to discuss what is happening with our program and to gather their input and discuss how they can get involved with our projects.”