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After School Community Enrichment (ACE) and After School Learning (ASL)
"The After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Program was initiated by the Legislature in 1998 (SB 1756) which provides funds to establish local after school education and enrichment programs. The program was then modified in 2002, as a result of the Proposition 49 initiative and changed its name to After School Education adn Safety Program (ASESP). The programs continue to provide academic and literacy support and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade."the three ACE/ASLP program goals are:
- Educational and Literacy Support
- Enrichment and Recreational Opportunities
- Positive, Safe and Healthy Environment Program
Client Information
The Chinatown Beacon Center accepts students into the ACE/ASL Program who may need further academic assistance based on test scores, and/or additional language support. Students are also accepted into the program through parent requests and special circumstances (i.e. after school bus needs, safe place to stay during the after school hours, other siblings are accepted into the program, etc.). The ACE/ASL Programs serve students from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
The ACE/ASLP programs serves almost 400 students every day for the academic school year atfive elementary schools: Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, Jean Parker Elementary School, John Yehall Chin Elementary School, Sherman Elementary School
Funding Sources (percentage of government, private, other):
SB 1756 State Grant (ASESP After School Safety and Education Program)ASESP
Define the Program Services area:
ACE/ASLP are FREE programs for its participants. Grant funding is based on daily student attendance and is tracked through monthly attendance logs, Monthly Meal Count sheets (MMC), and Meal Production Worksheets (MPW).
The ACE and ASLP programs:
- Provide families and students a safe place and educationally-enhancing environment to be when there is no one at home
- consistency
- receive homework assistance
- take advantage of the after school bus transportation (shared between Spring Valley, Jean Parker and Gordon J. Lau) for students who live in the Western Addition/Mission neighborhoods
What type of activities do "clients" engage in:
The students participate in enrichment activities that incorporate the youth development model as well as provide hands-on applications to support academic learning. Activities are structured around what would best complement what they are learning during the school day as well as offer students an opportunity to engage in clubs or electives that they may either not be exposed to or participate in during the school day.
Some examples:
- Inventor Invasion (collaboration with Wild Planet Toys, Inc.)
- Dramarama
- Team Challenges
- Community Service Learning Projects
- Thrilling Thursdays (collaboration between John Yehall-Chin and Jean Parker Elementary School)
- Girl Scouts
How does the program engage community members:
The ACE program greatly rely on organizations, agencies and community members who are interested in working with the schools within those hours. For example, Wild Planet Toys, Inc., Girl Scouts, SambAsia and volunteers from the community who run Super readers Book Clubs.
Misc.
The Program Strengths includes:
- Ability to provide homework assistance and implement enrichment activities
- Maintain consistent participant base
- Offer administrative support
The Current Program's Challenges include: