Hi all,
One challenge or obstacle I’ve encountered is working alongside our partners (Washington Middle School/Seattle Parks & Rec CLC) to ensure consistency across the programming (as best we can). My work with Seattle U is directly focused on serving those furthest from educational justice and I enroll max 50 scholars each year (we have 25 undergraduate mentors). The current format for afterschool programming at WMS allows for students to change afterschool clubs each week if desired using a easy online form/QR Code, this could result in a new group of students each pongo session. The program will also be extended to the whole school as opposed to only the 50 scholars enrolled in our mentoring program. I’ve been trying to navigate keeping our afterschool pongo program, which will run from March – May, as closed once the initial flow of scholars enroll, or keep it open using the current afterschool model which allows scholars to try something new each week as they develop their own identities and interests. One consideration I often weigh are the pros/cons of open versus closed groups – I see value in each. I’m expecting to have 4-5 mentors plus 1 graduate assistant supporting afterschool in terms of capacity.
In community,
Kendall
