WEBVTT
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If there was no after school, just after talking to families after our last survey that we just put out, a lot of families wouldn't know what to do.
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Some would have to be stay-at-home mom or dad.
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They'd have to reduce their work hours.
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They'd have to pay for after school care.
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And that's absolutely like super expensive.
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After school is just, there's not really a price or a value point that you can put on it just because the families need it, the kids need it, the school needs it.
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Welcome to Thrivecast, a production of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence.
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My name is Dawn Hibbard, and I will be your host.
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Our topic today is the value of after school programming.
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I have with me three of the Flint Center's Thrive After School staff, including Community School Director Kwanda Kimbrough, Community School Director Mike Fortelka, and Expanding Learning Coordinator Sidney Cooley.
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Welcome to the program.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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To give our listeners a little context, I want to share that in America today, 7.6 million children are alone and unsupervised after school.
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After school programs keep kids safe, help working families, and inspire learning.
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This month, the Flint Center's Thrive After School sites will celebrate Lights on After School, a project of the After School Alliance that draws attention to the need for more after school programs to serve the millions of kids nationwide who are unsupervised each weekday afternoon.
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The Flint Center's Thrive After School program provides a free, innovative, evidence-based curriculum, offering Flint kids a balanced blend of enrichment activities with academic interventions that promote success in school.
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Our Thrive sites serve elementary school kids, and our Thrive Up sites serve middle and high school aged kids.
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Now, let's hear from our panel of experts.
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Does Thrive after school programming actually make a difference?
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I would love to say that it does.
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And I feel like that because the parents are brutally honest, and so are our students.
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And when we have parents that are saying, you know, if we don't have your program, I don't have somewhere safe for my child to go.
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And that alone tells me, okay, um, the parents may look at it as being the daycare, but we know not only are they receiving safe care, but they're getting academics and enrichments.
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So I definitely would say that it does matter.
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I would also have to agree.
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Um, you see through our surveys and our feedback that we've we've get uh we've gotten that families do really need this.
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The students really enjoy the afterschool programs.
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Um there's just so much that that is provided and offered to them.
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Um so I I absolutely do agree.
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Um, I definitely agree that after school is very beneficial for um all students.
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Um, like Mike said, especially like getting our surveys back, just really looking at that feedback from the kids and just seeing the different activities that they like and even just them talking about the staff that they get to interact with every day, you know.
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Um just really loving that staff as well.
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So I think that's an important element.
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Can somebody speak a little bit more to that staff?
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I think having the caring adults in children's lives is something that is the real game changer for after school.
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Absolutely, I agree 100%.
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Um, so it's super important for our success coaches to build the relationships with the students because sometimes they're not gonna come up to the community school director, they're not gonna come up to the expanded learning coordinator all the time.
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But when they have that um relationship with this success coach and they're like, okay, this is going on with me, and I need this help.
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Um, I trust that you'll get me the help or I trust that you'll just give me the right direction that I need to go because you know I don't want to talk to mom all the time.
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And of course, those things that need to be reported, we make sure that those are taken care of.
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But I think it's super important with that relational piece because that alone is gonna keep the kids not only coming, but ensuring that they had that trusted adult.
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Yeah.
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So I mean, at DTM, our our students really like they will seek us out.
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And during during the day after school, before school, like, hey, can can we go down to uh the after school office?
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Can we go see Miss Sydney?
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Can we go see Mr.
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Mike?
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Can we go see, you know, our success coaches?
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Um, you know, and we we do a lot of our success mentoring, right?
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So a lot of our relationships during school day are built through success mentoring, being in the lunchroom, and the students really enjoy seeing us.
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They get it's it's different from their teacher because they are with the teacher all day, every day.
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And it's like they get that break from us like, hey, can I just go down to the office and get a break?
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And um the the staff do a good job of allowing that to happen.
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Um, so it it's the students really do.
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The the relationships that we've built in the schools are amazing.
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And I love to see him in the community.
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I love you out.
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Yes, oh, so you'll be you'll be shopping and Mr.
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Mike is like as soon as I hear the bird call, I'm like, okay, that's one of the students.
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So that's always fulfilling too.
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Bird call.
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Yeah, listen, I will hear Miss Q at crazy spots.
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Oh, you might and so my students call me excuse you, so I know okay, that's a student that's calling me, or I have a parent.
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And I'm like, oh, you know, Corona's fine.
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No, Mrs.
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Q.
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And I'll see them like whether from a grocery store or at the park or working out.
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And so it's always good to even outside of the school to know that that um that love is there, the relational building is really, really working for sure.
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They don't think you live at the school, though.
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Oh uh some no believe believe some of them really do think that you live there.
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Yeah, like oh like you didn't you actually go home?
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Yeah.
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Okay.
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Yeah.
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My mother was a teacher, so I she got that a lot.
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When kids would see her out in public, it was like seeing an you know an elephant in the living room.
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What the heck?
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Yeah.
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It's like, oh my gosh, you you are you live outside of the school?
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Oh, okay.
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Yeah.
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Well, to date, more than 3,500 kids have been served in our Thrive After School programs.
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And our data shows that the kids who participate in our programs have better attendance than their peers who do not.
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Now, have you seen this?
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Do you see these numbers?
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Go ahead, Cyology.
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Um, no, I was just gonna say, like, there will be times where you talk to the school staff and they'll have a certain outlook on a kid, and it's like, you know, like, yeah, like they're they're late or like they're this, they're that.
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And then you in the after school is like I experience a completely different side of that.
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Like when I have that student, they are there, they're engaged, they're learning, they're wanting to learn.
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So I feel like after school, because it's a lot less strict, a lot less, I don't want to say less structured, because we definitely have that structure, but we're not looking for the kids to be performative, if that makes sense.
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You know, I feel like sometimes in day school, they feel like you have to be, you know, hoody-toity for lack of a better word, you know.
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So just being able to be themselves, you know, I feel like that really drives that attendance for them, for sure.
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For sure.
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And, you know, we like I I'll talk to parents.
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We do like curbside pickup, and um, you know, I'll get a lot of parents that ask me, well, how's she doing?
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How'd she doing program today?
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And it's like, believe me, if I have something to say, like I'll let you know.
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But it's it's always a positive reenact um uh reaction.
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Um the students really enjoy being there, but um, you know, parents will we'll we'll get students that'll be like, I have to go to after school.
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It's like, I have to go to school today, mom, because you know, we're doing this in the after school program.
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And if I don't, like, if I don't get to do this in the after school program, then I missed it.
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And it's it's it's their fear of missing out, and that's they really enjoy the after school program.
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So then that kind of translates them to like, hey, I have to go to school today.
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And we do, we do see that quite often.
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I do.
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I love that, and I say that's our superpower because when the kids want to be there, they will bug, bug, bug.
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Um, and that's how we got some of our students to actually show up.
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I'd had a parent call that would say, Hey, you know, my kid missed school today, but they want to come after school.
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And I'm like, Well, they gotta be in school.
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Yeah, that's it being so amazing.
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Um, and so that actually is what how I saw our attendance go up because they know, okay, if I'm not in day school, then we can't participate in after school.
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And even going off of that, like, you know, we'll get students that get suspended during the school day, and they will it, they're not, they're not upset about anything that had happened.
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They're upset that they can't come to after school.
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Like, it's almost they feel um like they've let down the after school team.
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Like they'll come to us and cry about it.
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It's it's sometimes it's really sad.
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Um, but you know, it's it's uh I don't I don't know the word.
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It's just it sounds like an extended family for kids in some ways.
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It is.
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And I think um to Mike's point on that, it's a a taint for us to redirect when they are having those behavioral issues or they are, you know, because we love after school.
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It is fun, but I still have to stress that we still encourage academics as well.
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So it's not like you just you get to come to after school, you're having a funky good time.
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No, we're still learning, but it's embedded learning.
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So the students don't even realize, you know, I'm learning literacy, I'm getting my math in, um, but I'm also getting that family component that, you know, they may miss or may not get to have because parents are working.
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And so I think the after school space definitely allows the students to have that family and also get what they need academically as well.
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And it's not just the kids either, it's it's the parents.
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The parents will sit there and try to talk to you for a good hour if they got the opportunity to, because they they've they've built that relationship with you over the years or however long you've been here.
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And um, they just they like I can speak off of DTM's families, they they really enjoy the entire program and the entire staff, and they they reach out to you all the time, all the time.
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There's points that I feel like day school won't be aware of things because parents have come straight to Mr.
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Mike and it's like you guys like I want I want to talk to Mr.
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Mike, like let's figure this out because they know that ultimately someone is going to listen to them, and if we have the resources to help, we're gonna get it done.
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For sure, for sure.
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And I think that's part of what's so important about the community education partnership that we have in the schools.
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Yes, it's not just that we are coming in for after school.
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It's like you said earlier, we have success coaches embedded in the day school part of it, but it's our staff working with school staff so that as Sydney said, if a kid, if a parent comes to talk to Mr.
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Mike, Mike knows to go to the right people at our school and to start the bringing that partnership in so that we can wrap around the kid in the family.
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Yes, absolutely.
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Yeah.
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Our research also shows that kids in Thrive On and Thrive Up programs perform better on district interim assessment tests than their peers who are not in our program.
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Why do you think this is?
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So speaking from being a network site, um I'm actually seeing that a lot, and the data will show that we do have students that are in the after school program, and we can tell when they do their cycles with the PSDA that you can see, you know, that okay, this student is growing, and oh, this happens to be an after school student because they are getting that extra curricular help in that time where the students that are not, you know, they just don't have that extra help that we're getting.
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And and I'll um we do so much that people don't see too.
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So I'm like reading rangers, you know, like we last year we helped first graders be try to become proficient and the it showed the data showed that like I think it was ninety-eight percent or or more.
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I I could be wrong, but all of them became went up a grade level throughout throughout the process of it.
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There's I think Quanda was talking about it, there's embedded learning.
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Um, you know, we bring in tutors at times to to help to help bridge the gap.
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There's a lot of things that they get in the after school that the students might not see, but they're actually learning.
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Yeah.
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We sneak it in.
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We we do, and it's fun.
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And they they, you know, I I kind of look at it like they get they're learning the entire time they're there, but it's things that they don't get in day school.
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Like day school is just, you know, you're sitting down at a desk, you know, you have your specials and stuff.
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And while they I'm sure they do think it's fun, after school is like where they get to be, like City said, they get to be themselves, they get to express their feelings.
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Um more voice and choice, like, oh yeah, like it and and we try to put in academic learning embedded into everything that we do.
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So that does not surprise me that that that our test scores are up.
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Yeah, does not surprise me.
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What is the value of after school programming?
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I would say the value is the investment that we uh instill into our kids educationally, social and emotional wise, and also just as a community.
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Um I believe with after school programs we're not only catering to the student, but the family.
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And um, I feel like we're servicing the whole child as well as the community.
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It it's invaluable.
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There after school, if there was no after school, uh there would just after talking to families after our last survey that we just put out, a lot of families wouldn't know what to do.
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Some would have to um, you know, be stay-at-home mom or dad, they'd have to reduce their work hours, they'd have to pay for after school care.
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And that's absolutely like super expensive.
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I mean, I've had to look into it for my own son.
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Um it it's after school is just there's not really a a price or a value point that you can put on it just because the families need it, the kids need it, the school needs it.
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Um, you know, I I feel like there's better behavior problems when our students come to the after school program.
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Um, so for me it's invaluable.
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There's just no price point on it.
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Yeah, they don't want to get kicked out that they don't.
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No, they really and I I truly mean that.
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They really do not like if you we'll we'll talk to students and you know, like during redirection, like, hey, can you take this student?
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Um, oh yeah, absolutely.
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We'll talk to them, like, hey, you know, if you want to come to after school, you really have to do a good job here.
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And they'll be like, okay, and there will not be another problem with the student for the rest of the day.
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Happens all the time.
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Yeah.
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Um, I would agree.
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I feel like everybody has hit the nail right on the head.
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Um, after school is extremely invaluable.
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Um, I feel like you see that with our students.
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Um, again, the way that they show up, the way that they love on us, the way that we love on them, you know.
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Um, the academic growth is insane.
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I even look at like from that first year when I first started at like the Flint Center.
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Um we struggled a lot to bring in fourth through sixth graders.
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And now this year we are overwhelmed with fourth sixth graders.
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We have more six, we have more fourth, fifth, and sixth graders than we do K3.
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Yes.
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Yeah, and it's like it's it's way more.
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It is.
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That's amazing.
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It's usually that's usually the opposite.
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Yeah.
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But they uh just that the group loves to come.
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And it's usually that group that you know parents will be like, okay, you can stay home, you're old enough.
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But they want to come.
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Now these are kids that have come through your program though as younger students.
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True.
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Yeah.
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So this this is it's building on it is.
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It is.
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But I would say, even we have a lot that honestly the word of mouth just travels so fast around our school.
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And our success coaches, I've got to give a nod to them.
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They recruit, recruit, recruit.
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So if lunch is going on, they're in that lunchroom, they're talking to kids, they're figuring out what they're interested in, like they're doing the whole nine.
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So they want to be there because they understand that this program is for them and essentially by them.
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Like they tell us what they want to do and we make it happen.
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And kids talk.
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It's like, hey, you should join the after school groups.
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This is what we like, you know, we do a lot of cooking.
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Um, you know, they're STEM, a lot of a lot of STEM STEAM stuff.
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And it's like just like Sydney said, word of mouth, like, hey, you should join the after school.
00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:45.440
We'll get, you know, probably probably after this first week of startup, we'll probably get like 10 more applications for fourth, third through sixth grade, just based off of like, hey, let's get our friends in here.
00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.600
They just they love it.
00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.799
They love it.
00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.679
Now, Quanda, you've switched schools recently.
00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.000
Yeah.
00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:55.679
So this will be your first year at a charter school.
00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.080
Yes, with this organization, yes.
00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.039
Yeah, with okay.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.320
Um, and we're super excited.
00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:06.559
I have a hundred and five wait list already.
00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.119
Um we said 200 and some odd.
00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.599
200 and something registered to register.
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.359
Um, we could bring on 85 and push 90.
00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:19.920
But um, yes, we are full with a wait list, so we are super excited.
00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:26.640
Um, we're off we're actually gonna be able to offer sports, and so we're gonna be able to try to chuck down some of that wait list.
00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.720
But yes, that is so cool.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.279
That is cool.
00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:32.480
That's I looked at I looked at that 200 and some app.
00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:36.160
They are sure they they want it, so we're trying to provide a special.
00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:41.279
Yeah, and you at DTM, you're you're big though too, aren't you?
00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.079
Your program.
00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:46.559
We have, I think, I haven't looked today, but we probably have like 75.
00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.480
As of last night, we were at 75.
00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.200
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:52.079
And both your sites are doing Thrive Sports.
00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:52.640
Correct.
00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:52.880
Yes.
00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.200
Yep.
00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.000
So yeah.
00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.200
So the kids love sports.
00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.359
They love the parents are excited.
00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:01.759
We had our parent orientation, and the registrations are coming in.
00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:05.519
It's a good and it's a good way for them to stay after school too.
00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:13.440
Um, like, so I know right now we can only take a certain amount of kids, so we do have a wait list, but our wait list is not a hundred something.
00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:23.519
Um, but um it's a good way to bring those kids in um because sports it it it runs co uh alongside the after school program.
00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:30.160
So it's still a good way to get them into something that's after school, but not just the after school program.
00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:38.400
Um, and you know, you never know, a spot might open up and the kid might we might be able to just kind of dual enroll them into both.
00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.799
Yeah.
00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.599
So yeah, the Thrive Sports, everyone's very excited.
00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.160
Oh, yeah.
00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.799
Yeah, exciting.
00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.079
Oh, I'm I'm super excited.
00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.799
I'm ecstatic.
00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:46.880
Uh Sinee's done a great job.
00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.599
Yeah.
00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:56.400
I think it we should probably for the for the podcast explain that Thrive Sports is a new initiative inside of the after school, Thrive After School space.
00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.960
Yes.
00:18:57.200 --> 00:19:00.000
And we have built our own program from scratch.
00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.759
So that's that's exciting.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.079
And we'll start with flag football in the fall.
00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.960
Yes, we will.
00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:12.480
We will transition to basketball in the winter, and then as we move into warmer months, we're going to track and field and soccer.
00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:22.640
So I think that our the children that we're able to support and and serve with Thrive Sports is really going to give Flint kids a totally different experience.
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.359
Yeah, absolutely.
00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:28.960
So we're able to in the elementary space experience organized sports.
00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.519
Absolutely.
00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:32.799
And then we got the K2 power play, you can't forget.
00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:52.000
But it is, you know, it's interesting because the our program is built for elementary right now, which helps bridge those kids as they move into middle school and high school, they will have all these experiences which will give the Flint schools m kids with more skill sets to move into the actual competition.
00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:59.039
As they move up, you know, they'll go to homes, which is our middle school, and they they have their own middle, like their middle school sports.
00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:02.000
Um, and they get to compete against actual other middle schools.
00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.359
So it's it's really cool.
00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:13.200
And um going back to our so flag football, we're actually going with um the NFL NFL flag football program, which is really cool.
00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:18.559
So like DTM will be the Eagles, like just kind of try to go off of color choices.
00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.960
I'm not sure what every other school is, but cool.
00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:23.920
Um they tried to go off of like the school colors.
00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:26.240
Uh, so that it was really cool to see.
00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:30.480
And then um when we do basketball, we're actually doing the NBA's program.
00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:30.880
Right.
00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:33.759
So I think it's gonna be kind of similar across the board, you know.
00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:38.960
When we come to soccer, it'll be MLS, and you know, they'll try and color scheme the the whatever.
00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.240
The professional teams.
00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.920
I just I think that's so cool.
00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:49.599
I do have kids, the kids get to see um, you know, they get to keep the jerseys and stuff, and it's to me, it's just so cool.
00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:53.039
Yeah, this is definitely going to take our after school program up.
00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:58.240
I really and because we're in control, yeah, because we're in control of it.
00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:02.240
So it's um it's just I I feel like it's just gonna be so much easier.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:09.599
It is uh to to delegate, to to make sure that we know what we're doing and the kids know what they're doing, and the parents know what they're like what's going on.
00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.480
So I'm really excited about the sports program.
00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:18.480
Well, just a a little heads up the t-shirts for staff came in, though the play win repeat.
00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:21.839
So we can all go to Saturday Games with awesome.
00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:24.160
With a very sports t shirt on.
00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.519
Yes, yeah, Wolf.
00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.400
Oh, you've seen me out there with Little Bullhorn, little cowbell.
00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.319
Oh, yes, I get belligerent by my students.
00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.519
You have we gotta cheer them on.
00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.319
Yeah, yeah.
00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:40.079
No, you you know, they they and they really enjoy seeing us there.
00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.640
They do.
00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:47.359
But whether whether they show it or not, like some will, some won't, but all they can talk about is like, Miss Carol, Mr.
00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.759
Mike, Miss Sydney, Miss Carol's one of our teachers.
00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.160
Like, can you can you guys come to our game on Saturday?
00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.359
Okay, what what time is it?
00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.319
Oh, it's at this time.
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.359
Can you can you please come?
00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.400
Can you please come?
00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.039
The the kids will beg us to come.
00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:02.640
And um, you know, as long as we have time, absolutely.
00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:05.039
Back to that, we are extended family forever.
00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:05.759
Definitely.
00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.799
So that energy.
00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.000
Oh, yeah, here we are.
00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:18.960
Well, I want to thank our panel of experts from our Thrive After School staff for a great conversation about the value of after school programming for our Flint kids.
00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:25.039
You have been listening to Thrivecast, the podcast program of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence.
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:07.919
If there was no after school, just after talking to families after our last survey that we just put out, a lot of families wouldn't know what to do.
00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:11.039
Some would have to be stay-at-home mom or dad.
00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:13.199
They'd have to reduce their work hours.
00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:16.399
They'd have to pay for after school care.
00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:19.839
And that's absolutely like super expensive.
00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:29.600
After school is just, there's not really a price or a value point that you can put on it just because the families need it, the kids need it, the school needs it.
00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:37.600
Welcome to Thrivecast, a production of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence.
00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:40.640
My name is Dawn Hibbard, and I will be your host.
00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:44.880
Our topic today is the value of after school programming.
00:00:45.119 --> 00:00:57.520
I have with me three of the Flint Center's Thrive After School staff, including Community School Director Kwanda Kimbrough, Community School Director Mike Fortelka, and Expanding Learning Coordinator Sidney Cooley.
00:00:57.679 --> 00:00:58.719
Welcome to the program.
00:00:59.280 --> 00:00:59.920
Thank you.
00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:01.039
Thank you.
00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:11.680
To give our listeners a little context, I want to share that in America today, 7.6 million children are alone and unsupervised after school.
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:17.760
After school programs keep kids safe, help working families, and inspire learning.
00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:34.879
This month, the Flint Center's Thrive After School sites will celebrate Lights on After School, a project of the After School Alliance that draws attention to the need for more after school programs to serve the millions of kids nationwide who are unsupervised each weekday afternoon.
00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:48.719
The Flint Center's Thrive After School program provides a free, innovative, evidence-based curriculum, offering Flint kids a balanced blend of enrichment activities with academic interventions that promote success in school.
00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:55.680
Our Thrive sites serve elementary school kids, and our Thrive Up sites serve middle and high school aged kids.
00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:58.719
Now, let's hear from our panel of experts.
00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:03.359
Does Thrive after school programming actually make a difference?
00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:06.239
I would love to say that it does.
00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:11.520
And I feel like that because the parents are brutally honest, and so are our students.
00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:17.599
And when we have parents that are saying, you know, if we don't have your program, I don't have somewhere safe for my child to go.
00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:26.800
And that alone tells me, okay, um, the parents may look at it as being the daycare, but we know not only are they receiving safe care, but they're getting academics and enrichments.
00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.360
So I definitely would say that it does matter.
00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:31.439
I would also have to agree.
00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:40.000
Um, you see through our surveys and our feedback that we've we've get uh we've gotten that families do really need this.
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:43.520
The students really enjoy the afterschool programs.
00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:48.560
Um there's just so much that that is provided and offered to them.
00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.360
Um so I I absolutely do agree.
00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:56.080
Um, I definitely agree that after school is very beneficial for um all students.
00:02:56.240 --> 00:03:09.039
Um, like Mike said, especially like getting our surveys back, just really looking at that feedback from the kids and just seeing the different activities that they like and even just them talking about the staff that they get to interact with every day, you know.
00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:12.240
Um just really loving that staff as well.
00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.240
So I think that's an important element.
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.800
Can somebody speak a little bit more to that staff?
00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:23.840
I think having the caring adults in children's lives is something that is the real game changer for after school.
00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:25.360
Absolutely, I agree 100%.
00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:36.879
Um, so it's super important for our success coaches to build the relationships with the students because sometimes they're not gonna come up to the community school director, they're not gonna come up to the expanded learning coordinator all the time.
00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:43.360
But when they have that um relationship with this success coach and they're like, okay, this is going on with me, and I need this help.
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:50.879
Um, I trust that you'll get me the help or I trust that you'll just give me the right direction that I need to go because you know I don't want to talk to mom all the time.
00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:54.800
And of course, those things that need to be reported, we make sure that those are taken care of.
00:03:54.879 --> 00:04:02.400
But I think it's super important with that relational piece because that alone is gonna keep the kids not only coming, but ensuring that they had that trusted adult.
00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:02.800
Yeah.
00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:08.400
So I mean, at DTM, our our students really like they will seek us out.
00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:15.280
And during during the day after school, before school, like, hey, can can we go down to uh the after school office?
00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:16.399
Can we go see Miss Sydney?
00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:17.199
Can we go see Mr.
00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:17.680
Mike?
00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:20.800
Can we go see, you know, our success coaches?
00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:25.920
Um, you know, and we we do a lot of our success mentoring, right?
00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:35.759
So a lot of our relationships during school day are built through success mentoring, being in the lunchroom, and the students really enjoy seeing us.
00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:41.519
They get it's it's different from their teacher because they are with the teacher all day, every day.
00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:46.240
And it's like they get that break from us like, hey, can I just go down to the office and get a break?
00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:50.560
And um the the staff do a good job of allowing that to happen.
00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:54.160
Um, so it it's the students really do.
00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:57.519
The the relationships that we've built in the schools are amazing.
00:04:57.680 --> 00:04:58.959
And I love to see him in the community.
00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:00.240
I love you out.
00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:04.160
Yes, oh, so you'll be you'll be shopping and Mr.
00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:09.199
Mike is like as soon as I hear the bird call, I'm like, okay, that's one of the students.
00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:12.399
So that's always fulfilling too.
00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:13.360
Bird call.
00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:17.040
Yeah, listen, I will hear Miss Q at crazy spots.
00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:22.560
Oh, you might and so my students call me excuse you, so I know okay, that's a student that's calling me, or I have a parent.
00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:24.560
And I'm like, oh, you know, Corona's fine.
00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:25.279
No, Mrs.
00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:25.600
Q.
00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:29.360
And I'll see them like whether from a grocery store or at the park or working out.
00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:37.360
And so it's always good to even outside of the school to know that that um that love is there, the relational building is really, really working for sure.
00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:39.120
They don't think you live at the school, though.
00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:43.839
Oh uh some no believe believe some of them really do think that you live there.
00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.480
Yeah, like oh like you didn't you actually go home?
00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:47.519
Yeah.
00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:48.319
Okay.
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:48.639
Yeah.
00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.439
My mother was a teacher, so I she got that a lot.
00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:55.680
When kids would see her out in public, it was like seeing an you know an elephant in the living room.
00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.560
What the heck?
00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:57.680
Yeah.
00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:01.439
It's like, oh my gosh, you you are you live outside of the school?
00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:02.560
Oh, okay.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:03.279
Yeah.
00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:09.120
Well, to date, more than 3,500 kids have been served in our Thrive After School programs.
00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:15.920
And our data shows that the kids who participate in our programs have better attendance than their peers who do not.
00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.519
Now, have you seen this?
00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.959
Do you see these numbers?
00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:19.839
Yes.
00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:20.720
Yes.
00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:22.480
Go ahead, Cyology.
00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:34.240
Um, no, I was just gonna say, like, there will be times where you talk to the school staff and they'll have a certain outlook on a kid, and it's like, you know, like, yeah, like they're they're late or like they're this, they're that.
00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:39.279
And then you in the after school is like I experience a completely different side of that.
00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:44.399
Like when I have that student, they are there, they're engaged, they're learning, they're wanting to learn.
00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:56.480
So I feel like after school, because it's a lot less strict, a lot less, I don't want to say less structured, because we definitely have that structure, but we're not looking for the kids to be performative, if that makes sense.
00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:02.879
You know, I feel like sometimes in day school, they feel like you have to be, you know, hoody-toity for lack of a better word, you know.
00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:08.800
So just being able to be themselves, you know, I feel like that really drives that attendance for them, for sure.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:09.519
For sure.
00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:12.399
And, you know, we like I I'll talk to parents.
00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:17.519
We do like curbside pickup, and um, you know, I'll get a lot of parents that ask me, well, how's she doing?
00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:19.120
How'd she doing program today?
00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:22.720
And it's like, believe me, if I have something to say, like I'll let you know.
00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.879
But it's it's always a positive reenact um uh reaction.
00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:36.240
Um the students really enjoy being there, but um, you know, parents will we'll we'll get students that'll be like, I have to go to after school.
00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:41.680
It's like, I have to go to school today, mom, because you know, we're doing this in the after school program.
00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:45.519
And if I don't, like, if I don't get to do this in the after school program, then I missed it.
00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:50.639
And it's it's it's their fear of missing out, and that's they really enjoy the after school program.
00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:55.199
So then that kind of translates them to like, hey, I have to go to school today.
00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.279
And we do, we do see that quite often.
00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:57.920
I do.
00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:03.519
I love that, and I say that's our superpower because when the kids want to be there, they will bug, bug, bug.
00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:07.199
Um, and that's how we got some of our students to actually show up.
00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:12.639
I'd had a parent call that would say, Hey, you know, my kid missed school today, but they want to come after school.
00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:14.240
And I'm like, Well, they gotta be in school.
00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:16.240
Yeah, that's it being so amazing.
00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:25.519
Um, and so that actually is what how I saw our attendance go up because they know, okay, if I'm not in day school, then we can't participate in after school.
00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:36.159
And even going off of that, like, you know, we'll get students that get suspended during the school day, and they will it, they're not, they're not upset about anything that had happened.
00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:39.200
They're upset that they can't come to after school.
00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:46.000
Like, it's almost they feel um like they've let down the after school team.
00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.399
Like they'll come to us and cry about it.
00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:50.879
It's it's sometimes it's really sad.
00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:55.759
Um, but you know, it's it's uh I don't I don't know the word.
00:08:55.840 --> 00:08:59.919
It's just it sounds like an extended family for kids in some ways.
00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.039
It is.
00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:09.919
And I think um to Mike's point on that, it's a a taint for us to redirect when they are having those behavioral issues or they are, you know, because we love after school.
00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:14.240
It is fun, but I still have to stress that we still encourage academics as well.
00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:18.080
So it's not like you just you get to come to after school, you're having a funky good time.
00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.320
No, we're still learning, but it's embedded learning.
00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:31.679
So the students don't even realize, you know, I'm learning literacy, I'm getting my math in, um, but I'm also getting that family component that, you know, they may miss or may not get to have because parents are working.
00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:38.799
And so I think the after school space definitely allows the students to have that family and also get what they need academically as well.
00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:41.360
And it's not just the kids either, it's it's the parents.
00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:53.600
The parents will sit there and try to talk to you for a good hour if they got the opportunity to, because they they've they've built that relationship with you over the years or however long you've been here.
00:09:53.759 --> 00:10:05.679
And um, they just they like I can speak off of DTM's families, they they really enjoy the entire program and the entire staff, and they they reach out to you all the time, all the time.
00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:12.000
There's points that I feel like day school won't be aware of things because parents have come straight to Mr.
00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:16.159
Mike and it's like you guys like I want I want to talk to Mr.
00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:23.200
Mike, like let's figure this out because they know that ultimately someone is going to listen to them, and if we have the resources to help, we're gonna get it done.
00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.639
For sure, for sure.
00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:31.039
And I think that's part of what's so important about the community education partnership that we have in the schools.
00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:34.080
Yes, it's not just that we are coming in for after school.
00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:47.200
It's like you said earlier, we have success coaches embedded in the day school part of it, but it's our staff working with school staff so that as Sydney said, if a kid, if a parent comes to talk to Mr.
00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:55.679
Mike, Mike knows to go to the right people at our school and to start the bringing that partnership in so that we can wrap around the kid in the family.
00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.960
Yes, absolutely.
00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.759
Yeah.
00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:08.480
Our research also shows that kids in Thrive On and Thrive Up programs perform better on district interim assessment tests than their peers who are not in our program.
00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:10.320
Why do you think this is?
00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:37.279
So speaking from being a network site, um I'm actually seeing that a lot, and the data will show that we do have students that are in the after school program, and we can tell when they do their cycles with the PSDA that you can see, you know, that okay, this student is growing, and oh, this happens to be an after school student because they are getting that extra curricular help in that time where the students that are not, you know, they just don't have that extra help that we're getting.
00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:43.759
And and I'll um we do so much that people don't see too.
00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:58.240
So I'm like reading rangers, you know, like we last year we helped first graders be try to become proficient and the it showed the data showed that like I think it was ninety-eight percent or or more.
00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:05.440
I I could be wrong, but all of them became went up a grade level throughout throughout the process of it.
00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:09.440
There's I think Quanda was talking about it, there's embedded learning.
00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:14.639
Um, you know, we bring in tutors at times to to help to help bridge the gap.
00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:21.360
There's a lot of things that they get in the after school that the students might not see, but they're actually learning.
00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:21.919
Yeah.
00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.519
We sneak it in.
00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:25.279
We we do, and it's fun.
00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:34.480
And they they, you know, I I kind of look at it like they get they're learning the entire time they're there, but it's things that they don't get in day school.
00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:39.440
Like day school is just, you know, you're sitting down at a desk, you know, you have your specials and stuff.
00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:49.039
And while they I'm sure they do think it's fun, after school is like where they get to be, like City said, they get to be themselves, they get to express their feelings.
00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:59.600
Um more voice and choice, like, oh yeah, like it and and we try to put in academic learning embedded into everything that we do.
00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:04.559
So that does not surprise me that that that our test scores are up.
00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.919
Yeah, does not surprise me.
00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:10.080
What is the value of after school programming?
00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:21.759
I would say the value is the investment that we uh instill into our kids educationally, social and emotional wise, and also just as a community.
00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:29.360
Um I believe with after school programs we're not only catering to the student, but the family.
00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:33.600
And um, I feel like we're servicing the whole child as well as the community.
00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.440
It it's invaluable.
00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:47.759
There after school, if there was no after school, uh there would just after talking to families after our last survey that we just put out, a lot of families wouldn't know what to do.
00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:58.559
Some would have to um, you know, be stay-at-home mom or dad, they'd have to reduce their work hours, they'd have to pay for after school care.
00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:02.000
And that's absolutely like super expensive.
00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:04.320
I mean, I've had to look into it for my own son.
00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:15.440
Um it it's after school is just there's not really a a price or a value point that you can put on it just because the families need it, the kids need it, the school needs it.
00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:21.679
Um, you know, I I feel like there's better behavior problems when our students come to the after school program.
00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:24.320
Um, so for me it's invaluable.
00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.840
There's just no price point on it.
00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.159
Yeah, they don't want to get kicked out that they don't.
00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.720
No, they really and I I truly mean that.
00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:38.799
They really do not like if you we'll we'll talk to students and you know, like during redirection, like, hey, can you take this student?
00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:40.240
Um, oh yeah, absolutely.
00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:44.960
We'll talk to them, like, hey, you know, if you want to come to after school, you really have to do a good job here.
00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:49.279
And they'll be like, okay, and there will not be another problem with the student for the rest of the day.
00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.039
Happens all the time.
00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.080
Yeah.
00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.080
Um, I would agree.
00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:57.279
I feel like everybody has hit the nail right on the head.
00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.679
Um, after school is extremely invaluable.
00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.879
Um, I feel like you see that with our students.
00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:07.679
Um, again, the way that they show up, the way that they love on us, the way that we love on them, you know.
00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:10.720
Um, the academic growth is insane.
00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:15.679
I even look at like from that first year when I first started at like the Flint Center.
00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:20.320
Um we struggled a lot to bring in fourth through sixth graders.
00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:25.039
And now this year we are overwhelmed with fourth sixth graders.
00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:28.960
We have more six, we have more fourth, fifth, and sixth graders than we do K3.
00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.600
Yes.
00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.399
Yeah, and it's like it's it's way more.
00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.039
It is.
00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.759
That's amazing.
00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.919
It's usually that's usually the opposite.
00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.320
Yeah.
00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.360
But they uh just that the group loves to come.
00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:44.639
And it's usually that group that you know parents will be like, okay, you can stay home, you're old enough.
00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.559
But they want to come.
00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:51.200
Now these are kids that have come through your program though as younger students.
00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:51.600
True.
00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:51.919
Yeah.
00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:54.720
So this this is it's building on it is.
00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.759
It is.
00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:02.000
But I would say, even we have a lot that honestly the word of mouth just travels so fast around our school.
00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:04.159
And our success coaches, I've got to give a nod to them.
00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.840
They recruit, recruit, recruit.
00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:13.039
So if lunch is going on, they're in that lunchroom, they're talking to kids, they're figuring out what they're interested in, like they're doing the whole nine.
00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:18.799
So they want to be there because they understand that this program is for them and essentially by them.
00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.360
Like they tell us what they want to do and we make it happen.
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.320
And kids talk.
00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:25.200
It's like, hey, you should join the after school groups.
00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:27.679
This is what we like, you know, we do a lot of cooking.
00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:32.000
Um, you know, they're STEM, a lot of a lot of STEM STEAM stuff.
00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:36.240
And it's like just like Sydney said, word of mouth, like, hey, you should join the after school.
00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:45.440
We'll get, you know, probably probably after this first week of startup, we'll probably get like 10 more applications for fourth, third through sixth grade, just based off of like, hey, let's get our friends in here.
00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.600
They just they love it.
00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.799
They love it.
00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.679
Now, Quanda, you've switched schools recently.
00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.000
Yeah.
00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:55.679
So this will be your first year at a charter school.
00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.080
Yes, with this organization, yes.
00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.039
Yeah, with okay.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.320
Um, and we're super excited.
00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:06.559
I have a hundred and five wait list already.
00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.119
Um we said 200 and some odd.
00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.599
200 and something registered to register.
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.359
Um, we could bring on 85 and push 90.
00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:19.920
But um, yes, we are full with a wait list, so we are super excited.
00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:26.640
Um, we're off we're actually gonna be able to offer sports, and so we're gonna be able to try to chuck down some of that wait list.
00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.720
But yes, that is so cool.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.279
That is cool.
00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:32.480
That's I looked at I looked at that 200 and some app.
00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:36.160
They are sure they they want it, so we're trying to provide a special.
00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:41.279
Yeah, and you at DTM, you're you're big though too, aren't you?
00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.079
Your program.
00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:46.559
We have, I think, I haven't looked today, but we probably have like 75.
00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.480
As of last night, we were at 75.
00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.200
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:52.079
And both your sites are doing Thrive Sports.
00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:52.640
Correct.
00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:52.880
Yes.
00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.200
Yep.
00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.000
So yeah.
00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.200
So the kids love sports.
00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.359
They love the parents are excited.
00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:01.759
We had our parent orientation, and the registrations are coming in.
00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:05.519
It's a good and it's a good way for them to stay after school too.
00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:13.440
Um, like, so I know right now we can only take a certain amount of kids, so we do have a wait list, but our wait list is not a hundred something.
00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:23.519
Um, but um it's a good way to bring those kids in um because sports it it it runs co uh alongside the after school program.
00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:30.160
So it's still a good way to get them into something that's after school, but not just the after school program.
00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:38.400
Um, and you know, you never know, a spot might open up and the kid might we might be able to just kind of dual enroll them into both.
00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.799
Yeah.
00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.599
So yeah, the Thrive Sports, everyone's very excited.
00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.160
Oh, yeah.
00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.799
Yeah, exciting.
00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.079
Oh, I'm I'm super excited.
00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.799
I'm ecstatic.
00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:46.880
Uh Sinee's done a great job.
00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.599
Yeah.
00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:56.400
I think it we should probably for the for the podcast explain that Thrive Sports is a new initiative inside of the after school, Thrive After School space.
00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:56.960
Yes.
00:18:57.200 --> 00:19:00.000
And we have built our own program from scratch.
00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.759
So that's that's exciting.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:04.079
And we'll start with flag football in the fall.
00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.960
Yes, we will.
00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:12.480
We will transition to basketball in the winter, and then as we move into warmer months, we're going to track and field and soccer.
00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:22.640
So I think that our the children that we're able to support and and serve with Thrive Sports is really going to give Flint kids a totally different experience.
00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.359
Yeah, absolutely.
00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:28.960
So we're able to in the elementary space experience organized sports.
00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.519
Absolutely.
00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:32.799
And then we got the K2 power play, you can't forget.
00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:52.000
But it is, you know, it's interesting because the our program is built for elementary right now, which helps bridge those kids as they move into middle school and high school, they will have all these experiences which will give the Flint schools m kids with more skill sets to move into the actual competition.
00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:59.039
As they move up, you know, they'll go to homes, which is our middle school, and they they have their own middle, like their middle school sports.
00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:02.000
Um, and they get to compete against actual other middle schools.
00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.359
So it's it's really cool.
00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:13.200
And um going back to our so flag football, we're actually going with um the NFL NFL flag football program, which is really cool.
00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:18.559
So like DTM will be the Eagles, like just kind of try to go off of color choices.
00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.960
I'm not sure what every other school is, but cool.
00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:23.920
Um they tried to go off of like the school colors.
00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:26.240
Uh, so that it was really cool to see.
00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:30.480
And then um when we do basketball, we're actually doing the NBA's program.
00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:30.880
Right.
00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:33.759
So I think it's gonna be kind of similar across the board, you know.
00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:38.960
When we come to soccer, it'll be MLS, and you know, they'll try and color scheme the the whatever.
00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.240
The professional teams.
00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.920
I just I think that's so cool.
00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:49.599
I do have kids, the kids get to see um, you know, they get to keep the jerseys and stuff, and it's to me, it's just so cool.
00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:53.039
Yeah, this is definitely going to take our after school program up.
00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:58.240
I really and because we're in control, yeah, because we're in control of it.
00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:02.240
So it's um it's just I I feel like it's just gonna be so much easier.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:09.599
It is uh to to delegate, to to make sure that we know what we're doing and the kids know what they're doing, and the parents know what they're like what's going on.
00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.480
So I'm really excited about the sports program.
00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:18.480
Well, just a a little heads up the t-shirts for staff came in, though the play win repeat.
00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:21.839
So we can all go to Saturday Games with awesome.
00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:24.160
With a very sports t shirt on.
00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.519
Yes, yeah, Wolf.
00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.400
Oh, you've seen me out there with Little Bullhorn, little cowbell.
00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.319
Oh, yes, I get belligerent by my students.
00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.519
You have we gotta cheer them on.
00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.319
Yeah, yeah.
00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:40.079
No, you you know, they they and they really enjoy seeing us there.
00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.640
They do.
00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:47.359
But whether whether they show it or not, like some will, some won't, but all they can talk about is like, Miss Carol, Mr.
00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.759
Mike, Miss Sydney, Miss Carol's one of our teachers.
00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.160
Like, can you can you guys come to our game on Saturday?
00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.359
Okay, what what time is it?
00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.319
Oh, it's at this time.
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.359
Can you can you please come?
00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.400
Can you please come?
00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.039
The the kids will beg us to come.
00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:02.640
And um, you know, as long as we have time, absolutely.
00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:05.039
Back to that, we are extended family forever.
00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:05.759
Definitely.
00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.799
So that energy.
00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.000
Oh, yeah, here we are.
00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:18.960
Well, I want to thank our panel of experts from our Thrive After School staff for a great conversation about the value of after school programming for our Flint kids.
00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:25.039
You have been listening to Thrivecast, the podcast program of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence.
