Panther Valley recently wrapped up its first year of after-school clubs, allowing more than 300 students to build social skills, foster friendships and broaden their horizons.

Plus, the kids were having fun exploring drama, chorus, crafts, yoga and book clubs and even Lego, Disney, doodles or game clubs in the elementary grades, said Emma Hope, community school coordinator.

Clubs were only offered informally in prior years due to issues with after-school transportation, staffing and supplies, which teachers often paid for out of their own pockets, she said.

But a partnership with a local business provided the financial support the district needed to offer the opportunities, allowing students to engage in new experiences beyond the classroom.

“After-school clubs are more than just an extension of the academic day,” Superintendent Dave McAndrew said. “They are spaces where students discover new interests, build friendships and develop life skills like teamwork, communication and perseverance.”

He thanked elementary and intermediate staff members for their willingness and dedication to providing the opportunities, as well as to Keel Infrastructure, which is investing $1 million over the next three years to support the district.

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Keel Infrastructure for their generous support of our after-school programs,” McAndrew said. “Their contribution goes far beyond funding, it is an investment in the growth and curiosity of our students. These experiences help shape confident engaged students.”

Keel COO Liam Wilson said the company looks forward to working together to support the community and district.

“We have outlined plans to invest $1 million over three years to support students through after-school programs, enhanced access to transportation and school infrastructure improvements,” he said. “Keel Infrastructure is proud to be deepening our commitment to the Panther Valley community.”

Opportunities

Students also get tutoring or just time to do some homework along with a snack before the clubs start, Hope said.

Parents surveyed say they’ve seen their children more excited to go to school, academic skills improving and their kids discovering new interests and hobbies.

Teachers say the clubs have helped students learn about a range of things, including teamwork, sportsmanship, winning, losing and becoming more connected with their school.

Older elementary students also learn how to help the younger students, who are just acquiring skills needed for some of the crafts or art projects, said Diane Buchman, a third grade teacher.

“You pair them with somebody who can give a little guidance, someone who likes to help or an early finisher,” she said. “Could you help this younger one work on this project? It’s a lot of fostering between 6- and 9-year-olds and gives them the opportunity to become a leader of the group.

“The younger ones get the insight of the older ones. ‘This is a person I can look up to, or I created a friendship that’s not just someone my own age.’ ”

Buchman and second grade teacher Lauren Wall offer a board game club for students, and were surprised to learn how many traditional games, including bingo, that the students had never seen before.

“We’ve introduced the kids to all kinds of new board games. They’ve never had those types of games at home,” Wall said. “They’ve learned to play Hungry, Hungry Hippos. That’s become a favorite. They love it.

“It’s really an eye-opener for me to see the lack of exposure to traditional things that you would think they would see and they don’t.”

The clubs are allowing teachers not only to interact with a wider range of students, but also to impart knowledge to them and expose them to new things, Wall said.

‘Such a success’

Down the hall, first grade teacher Colleen DeFuso wanted to advise the Lego Club, in which students create their own worlds with the plastic, locking building blocks.

“The creativity is why I love this, because there’s no blueprint,” she said, noting that she first thought she’d do mini projects, but then saw the kids interact and thrive on their own the first day. “They were fantastic.”

DeFuso said each week they’d add to their builds, expanding them, and then wanted to show their younger siblings or parents, she said.

“They would come in in the morning, and say, ‘Can I show my brother my building’ or ‘Can I show my sister?’ It was the cutest thing ever,” DeFuso said.

She was really taken by one student, who waited for the others to take their blocks and used what was left over to create his own world from gems, she said.

“He kept adding and adding and building, and turned it into a masterpiece,” DeFuso said.

That was second grader Mason Ellinger, who proudly displayed his work composed of gems and crystals on the last day of clubs.

“I made myself rich,” he said.

This year, the clubs have enriched life in the district, and many hope the investment grows.

“We’re planning to continue the clubs next year,” Hope said. “It’s just been such a success for kids and teachers, and everyone involved.”