August 19, 2011
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
After-School All-Stars provides fun extended learning opportunities for middle school youth. Kids are provided three-hours of programming. The first hour includes homework and tutoring followed by enrichment and fitness classes such as cooking, hula, hip hop, glee, ukulele and all sports. The program is grounded in a simple premise—kids with somewhere to go, end up going places!
Activities launched at Wai'anae and Nānākuli Intermediate Schools the week of August 15th. Students have the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from robotics to gardening and even sushi making. Over 300 students are registered to participate in the program at Wai'anae Intermediate, along with an additional 200 students at Nānākuli Intermediate, numbers which clearly demonstrate both a need and desire for this kind of after-school programming.
"The student and parent interest in the All-Star program has been incredible. We are pleased to provide a variety of activities for our kids to do something meaningful after-school. Our kids need productive activities in a safe and structured environment, along with positive youth-adult relationships that guide them at this most critical time in their lives," says Raechelle Fabrao, Wai'anae Intermediate School principal.
"The support gives us more opportunities for our kids. We had started an after-school program last year, but with After-School All-Stars, they are able to bring in more activities," says Darin Pilialoha, Nānākuli High & Intermediate School principal. "It's good for our intermediate kids because a lot of them don't participate in the activities outside in our community. But if they see that there's something specifically for them, they can get more invested into what's happening at the school."
The expansion is another example of emerging public/private partnerships putting the education of our keiki first. With financial support from Kamehameha Schools' Ka Pua Initiative and the Campbell Family Foundation and logistical support from the DOE, After-School All-Stars is able to bring their engaging enrichment program to the Leeward Coast.
"After-School All-Stars is excited to bring structured after-school programming, Monday through Friday, to youth at Nānākuli and Wai'anae Intermediate Schools. We are grateful for the wonderful partnership with the Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools and the James and Abigail Campbell Family Foundation, who are all committed to giving our kids access to a safe and engaging environment during non-school hours, one that offers new experiences and teaches life skills though academics, enrichment and health/fitness activities," said Dawn Dunbar, Executive Director, After-School All-Stars Hawaii.
After-School All-Stars also services Dole Middle School, Ewa Makai Middle School, Jarrett Middle School, King Kalākaua Middle School, King Intermediate School and Washington Middle School.
For program information, visit www.asashawaii.org or call 808-734-1314. Registration is open to students from the host DOE schools only at this time.
After-School All-Stars Hawaii is a non-profit organization that provides free, quality comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life. Programs have been designed to prepare middle school youth for high school, college, and the 21st century by offering academic support, enrichment opportunities and health/fitness activities. After-School All-Stars serves 80,000 youth annually through after school and summer programs in 12 chapters across the country.
Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling nearly 5,400 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 1,500 keiki at 31 preschool sites statewide. Approximately 38,500 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States. For more information, visit www.ksbe.edu.
View our Facebook album of the launch and orientation.
Media Contacts:
Dawn Dunbar, After-School All-Stars
808-554-4560; dawn@asashawaii.org
Shaun Chillingworth, Kamehameha Schools
808-541-5367; shchilli@ksbe.edu
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
