Strengths
The Sun Terrace Elementary School CARES is a well established program with strong support from our community partners as well as from our school site and administration. This support stems from a history of excellent programming, coordination, and strong program leadership. Financially we are supported by grants from both state and city initiatives. One of the greatest assets that the Sun Terrace CARES program possesses is a strong connection with the regular school day staff. The principal, Felicia Stuckey-Smith, provides valuable assistance, support, and guidance that is vital to sustaining a well rounded program. Regular school day teachers also provide assistance in the form of student updates, homework support, and help with behavioral issues.
Challenges
In order to maintain high quality services being offered to our students and families, additional funding sources are continually being pursued. There is an ongoing need to maintain high quality training and mentorship for CARES staff to ensure qualified staff are serving our students. Opportunities for culturally diverse and enriching opportunities prepare students with the life experiences. Another challenge that the Sun Terrace CARES program faces is a high staff turnover. It has become increasingly difficult to retain quality Recreation Specialists for reasons ranging from school conflicts to termination. Also, the problem of parental involvement in the program continues to be an issue. Without an increased level of parental involvement, the Sun Terrace CARES program will struggle to reach its maximum potential. These challenges focus our attention on the ways in which we can continue to grow as a program that fosters the growth of children in the community.
Programs for Students and Families
After School Programming includes:
Homework Help, Academic Intervention Program, ASPIRE Intervention Program, Nutrition Education and Cooking, Dance, Arts and Crafts, Gardening, After School Research Reading Program, Talent Shows, Family Nights, and Community Information Nights.
Snack Programming includes:
Daily nutritional snack provided in partnership with Food Services Department and the USDA.
Links to the School Day
- School day teachers instruct the Intervention portion of CARES.
- Representative of CARES in Student Care Team (SCT) and attends faculty, Leadership, and grade level meetings.
- Informal and formal means of communication in place to facilitate discussion between CARES staff and school day teachers.
- CARES staff complete and share Bi-monthly Student Progress reports with classroom teachers.
Description of Homework Assistance Programs:
- Homework Help: 1 hour HW assistance and 1.25 hour structured enrichment or recreation.
- Intervention Program: 1 hour of academic Intervention with a Credentialed teacher in either English Language Arts or Mathematics. Student to teacher ratio is 17:1. This program has eligibility requirements, inquire within.
- After School Research Project (SFA): 45 minutes of academic intervention with a credentialed teacher in Language Arts, the program has limited number of spaces and eligibility requirements. Ratio varies from class to class but does not exceed 15:1.
- Peer Tutoring: Students in 4th and 5th grade who complete their homework are selected based on leadership skills and good behavior to tutor students in younger grades who experience homework difficulties
Description of Enrichment Programs:
- Enrichment opportunities: 1 ½ hours structured enrichment or recreation. Enrichment programming includes arts and crafts, athletics, leadership, and home economics programs. Programming focuses on the youth development model.
- Nutrition Education: 7 hours a week of nutrition education and physical activity promotion. Students participate in nutrition lessons, fitness cards, cooking classes, and field trips to the Gardens.
- CARES Gardens: Our two After School Gardens host daily classes in the garden, serving all 14 CARES After School programs and integrating nutrition, youth development and community development.
- Interest Specialty classes: A trained technical artist leads classes two times a week onsite for selected students, instructing them in the skills of portrait design.
- Clubs: A wide variety of clubs are offered to students every Friday during enrichment time. The clubs are selected and led by the recreation specialists based on their own interests. Clubs include Basketball, Movie, String Art, Science, and Art. A new selection of clubs is available to students on a rotating cycle every 6 weeks.
Description of Peer Resources and Youth Development Programs:
- Middle School Volunteers: Middle School students are qualified 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who enjoy helping their peers learn. After homework and tutoring, volunteers participate in ongoing enrichment activities.
- Parent Volunteers: Throughout the year, parents volunteer their time to assist with homework tutoring and enrichment activities as well as volunteering time and supplies for special events such as Fall Festivals etc.
Who We Serve
Number of Students served: 125
Male: 57%
Female: 43%
Free & Reduced Lunch: 52%
English Learner: 82%
Special Education: 20%
Demographics
Asian: 5.4%
Latino: 43.4%
African American: 10%
Asian Pacific Islander: 2.9%
Other White: 33.5%
Other Non-White: 9.2%
How We Serve
Staff to student ratio: 1:20
Number of credentialed staff: 1
Number of volunteers: 2
Number of CARES staff: 9
Number of subcontractors: 1
Number of Community Partners: 7
Community Partners
