Project APPLE
Afterschool Program Promoting Learning and Enrichment
Project REACH
Reading Excellence Achieved with Community Help
AmeriCorps
10140 E. Alondra Blvd.
Bellflower, CA 90706
562-461-2241
Project APPLE is an afterschool program that is offered to students attending one of the eight participating schools in the Bellflower Unified School District. Through aggressive grant writing efforts by program staff, funds in excess of 1.5 million dollars annually for the next three years have been awarded from AmeriCorps and ASES (After School Education and Safety) legislation, which allows the program to operate free of charge at Albert Baxter, Thomas Jefferson, Las Flores, Ernie Pyle, Ramona, Washington, Craig Williams, and Frank E. Woodruff elementary schools. Each site accommodates about 85 students daily.
The mission of Project APPLE is to work as partners with public and private agencies in the
community to keep students safe after school while providing them with access to out-of-school activities that support their academic, physical, and social growth. The program operates from the end of the regular school day until 6:00 p.m.
Two partner agencies, Creative Brain Learning (CBL) and California Educational Centers (CEC), provide staffing for enrichment classes such as instrumental music, singing, dancing, CSI science, drama, chess, creative writing, video production, nutrition education, sports/outdoor recreation, and more. Students spend one hour in homework center and one hour in an enrichment class each day. During homework center time, K-3 grade students also practice high frequency words daily, and 2nd-3rd graders receive small group reading tutoring. Enrichment classes rotate from site to site each trimester so that all students have multiple opportunities to explore their interests and share their talents. Guidelines from California State Standards for Education were used to develop the curriculum for homework centers and enrichment classes. A healthy snack is served daily.
Seventy-two college students, about nine per site, serve as tutors in the Homework Centers at each school site. These individuals are enrolled in the school district’s AmeriCorps National Service Program. They are recruited and trained by APPLE staff members to provide students with homework help, high frequency word practice, and reading (Project REACH) tutoring. While serving as an AmeriCorps member, individuals earn a small monthly living allowance
and an Education Award to help defray college expenses. Since most of these individuals are pursuing careers involving service to children, Project APPLE is a good training ground for practical experience. And since AmeriCorps members are volunteers, they are inspiring students to get involved in service to their communities!
Project APPLE is the proud recipient of the 2009 Community Service Award from the Federal Executive Board of Greater Los Angeles in commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week!