Friday programs for Re-2 School District

    This year students in the Re-2 School District only have school four days a week, but now the community is lending a hand to offer programs to students on Fridays.

The modified school weeks are a result of the $500,000 budget cuts the district had to make last year. And that meant many after school programs had to go and that students would have longer school days Monday through Thursday.

One of the places offering Friday programs is Wamsley Elementary in Rifle.

Students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade can participate in “Project Learn” from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Friday. It includes activities that are both fun and educational for the students.

Activities such as music, mixed martial arts and hands on science will be part of the program, but it all comes with a catch. Parents will have to pay for the programs if they want to enroll their kids.

“It’s a fee based program, all of the programs are fee based and run by those other organizations,” director of district wide services Theresa Hamilton said. “The Garfield Re-2 School District can't provide them as much as we would like to because it's about cost savings for us.”

All of the programs are academic based and district officials say it's a great way for kids to keep their brains sharp and help them learn outside the classroom.

Here is a list of all programs offered:

In Glenwood Springs, the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts is providing a full day of activities for 5 – 12 year olds including yoga, dance, music lessons and pottery. The program begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30. (call 945-2414 for information)

In New Castle, the New Castle recreation department is offering Out of the Woods art classes and martial arts classes. Times and ages vary for these programs. (call 984-3352 for information)

In Rifle, Colorado Mountain College has put together Kids Camp activities – day long classes (8 a.m. – 4 p.m) for 7 – 14 year olds - developed around a central theme including Oceans and Watersheds, Eagle Springs Organic Farm Experience, and Math With Legos. (call 625-1871 for information)

At Wamsley Elementary, students from Kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in Project Learn for academic enrichment and fun. From 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. students will participate in music, mixed media arts, hands-on science and team building. (call 319-9137 for information)

Artilluma Dance Company has fashioned a fifth-day enrichment program from11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for ages 7 – 13 with many community members bringing their experience to the program. (call 625-5616 for information)

Rifle Recreation and Synergy Gymnastics are offering gymnastics classes at the Rifle Fitness Center. Classes for 6 - 8 year olds are at 12:30 - 1:25, and classes for 8 - 11 year olds are at 1:30 -2:25.(Call 970-665-6577 for information)

Coming in October, the Garfield Public Library is offering “The Fifth Element” in Rifle, Silt and New Castle Branch Libraries on every Friday except those during student holidays. Two sessions will be available – one for Kindergarteners through second grade, and one for third and fourth graders. The Fifth Element will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Contact Kelsy at 625-4270 for information)

As an after school program option, Beyond the Bell is now up and running at Kathryn Senor Elementary for students 5 – 12. The program includes a snack, organized activities and homework help after school from 3:50 – 6:00. Programming includes cooking, arts and crafts, sports and gym games and drama. (call 707-631-3993 for information)