Middle School Learning Center

OMAHA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TOUTED IN D.C.

Published March 15, 2008
By Joe Morton
Omaha World Herald Staff Writer
WASHINGTON -- Omaha officials came to Washington this week to tout the city's new after-school programs, both to their peers and to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

More than 500 students have registered for Omaha's Middle School Learning Center Initiative at four schools: Marrs, Norris, Morton and McMillan.

John Mackiel, superintendent of Omaha Public Schools, and Mayor Mike Fahey highlighted the potential of the three-year, $2 million initiative at a National League of Cities conference.

Half of the $2 million comes from the federal government and half from matching funds put up by Susie Buffett's Sherwood Foundation.

Mackiel and Fahey said they targeted Omaha's middle schools because those were found to be particularly lacking in afterschool programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha, Campfire USA and the YMCA are helping to run the programs.

Mackiel said the very idea of "middle school" was the result of overcrowding concerns, prompted more by convenience than educational goals.

He also criticized the structure of the current school year and school day, saying they have outdated agrarian roots.

He said after-school programs can help the situation by extending the school day and providing children the chance to interact with caring adults and build relationships with other young people.

However, it's important that such programs be tied to students' regular curriculum, Mackiel said, in order to turn what could be mere child care into a learning opportunity.

Omaha's programs aim to do just that. A site director is housed at the school to provide a link between the school day and the after-school programs, which focus on the academic instruction in class. The programs also include cultural and recreational activities.

Fahey said one of the challenges will be finding ways to measure the programs' success. Officials have reached out to the University of Nebraska at Omaha to help monitor progress.

"We need to be able to demonstrate . . . that we deserve another grant," Fahey said. "In order to do that, we need to show them results."

Mackiel and other after-school program backers went to Capitol Hill Wednesday.

They urged Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., to support hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for after-school programs that would be cut under President Bush's proposed budget.

Terry told them it's unlikely Congress would follow the president's lead on that front.

	Photo Gallery OMAHA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TOUTED IN D.C. Published March 15, 2008 By Joe Morton Omaha World Herald Staff Writer WASHINGTON -- Omaha officials came to Washington this week to tout the city's new after-school programs, both to their peers and to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. More than 500 students have registered for Omaha's Middle School Learning Center Initiative at four schools: Marrs, Norris, Morton and McMillan. John Mackiel, superintendent of Omaha Public Schools, and Mayor Mike Fahey highlighted the potential of the three-year, $2 million initiative at a National League of Cities conference. Half of the $2 million comes from the federal government and half from matching funds put up by Susie Buffett's Sherwood Foundation. Mackiel and Fahey said they targeted Omaha's middle schools because those were found to be particularly lacking in afterschool programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha, Campfire USA and the YMCA are helping to run the programs. Mackiel said the very idea of "middle school" was the result of overcrowding concerns, prompted more by convenience than educational goals. He also criticized the structure of the current school year and school day, saying they have outdated agrarian roots. He said after-school programs can help the situation by extending the school day and providing children the chance to interact with caring adults and build relationships with other young people. However, it's important that such programs be tied to students' regular curriculum, Mackiel said, in order to turn what could be mere child care into a learning opportunity. Omaha's programs aim to do just that. A site director is housed at the school to provide a link between the school day and the after-school programs, which focus on the academic instruction in class. The programs also include cultural and recreational activities. Fahey said one of the challenges will be finding ways to measure the programs' success. Officials have reached out to the University of Nebraska at Omaha to help monitor progress. "We need to be able to demonstrate . . . that we deserve another grant," Fahey said. "In order to do that, we need to show them results." Mackiel and other after-school program backers went to Capitol Hill Wednesday. They urged Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., to support hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for after-school programs that would be cut under President Bush's proposed budget. Terry told them it's unlikely Congress would follow the president's lead on that front.