Student says After School Program ‘awesome’

    HOULTON — Suzanne Lawler, librarian and After School Program coordinator at Southside School, spoke to the Houlton Rotary Club at a recent meeting.
    Lawler started by reading a letter from one of the fourth graders, describing how she felt about the program. She thinks the program is “awesome” and was glad to find that when she reached the 4th grade, there were enrichment program options for her. 
Contributed Photo/Michael Clark
ROTARY GUEST — The Houlton Rotary Club heard a presentation on the SAD 29 After School Program at its regular meeting Monday, May 9. Taking part are, from left, Scott White, Rotary Club president; and Suzanne Lawler, program coordinator.
    The program has been at Southside School about nine years and has been well attended. The program is done in cooperation with the school district. It offers six different things to choose from each day, with the most popular options being gym and outside play.
    First, though, each student must complete their homework before their options can be chosen.  Some of the students receive extra instruction from teachers who remain after normal hours.
    The program has seen many individuals and clubs come to teach and enrich the students’ lives. The Border Patrol brought a helicopter for all to see, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has taught cooking and nutrition, a quilting club helped students make a quilt, and a woodworker showed students how to turn wood, to list only a few.  Field trips have been taken to Portland to see the Sea Dogs, to the bowling alley, to Madigan Estates where students did Christmas caroling for the patients.  The children read, have interactive play, write stories and play outside.  Suzanne showed a short slide show of the students and all appeared to be having fun while learning.