GHHMS Afterschool Enrichment Program
Posted 02/23/2023
GHHMS Afterschool Enrichment Program will launch on March 7 Collaboration between Marion Gerrish Community Center and YMCA of Greater Londonderry
Gilbert H. Hood Middle School (GHHMS) in Derry will have a new afterschool enrichment program when students return from their winter vacation. The GHHMS Afterschool Enrichment program is a collaboration between the school’s administration, YMCA of Greater Londonderry, and the Marion Gerrish Community Center. This onsite, free, afterschool program for the Gilbert H. Hood Middle School students will be launching on March 7, 2023 and will run until June 1, 2023. The program will be available to 40 students and run three days a week, Tuesday – Thursday, from 2:00 to 5:30 pm with registration on a first come, first served basis.
Programming will include a snack, homework assistance, and a selection of activities including sports, games, arts, e-sports, crafts, STEM learning, cooking and more! The program will increase the academic support and healthy socialization of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students through these activities as well as life skills and opportunities to increase community awareness. The GHHMS Afterschool Enrichment program aims to be fun, keep middle school students safe, provide engaging activities, positive social interactions, and homework assistance with a long-term goal of increased engagement in their community. Many students are unable to attend Gilbert H. Hood Middle School’s offered clubs and sports because there isn’t a way to get home in the later afternoon. This onsite program will allow students to engage not only in the program itself but additionally those offered through the school. Parents will be responsible for picking up their students between 5:00 - 5:30 pm.
The program received a startup grant from NH Department of Education’s Beyond School Enrichment Opportunities and a donation from the Derry Wolverines Dream Foundation. The program will be seeking donations and grants for the continuation of the program. The program will restart for the 2023 - 2024 school year on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 hopefully expanding to 60 students and eventually five days a week.
Gilbert H. Hood Middle School’s administration and parents have expressed the need for an onsite, afterschool program for students. A survey was made available to the 545 parents of Gilbert H. Hood Middle School students in September 2022 and received 155 responses indicating a 92.9% affirmative that parents would have their student participate in this afterschool program and what the students are interested in doing.
School administration will provide the onsite location, some supplies and administrative assistance; YMCA of Greater Londonderry will provide the appropriate, vetted staff and programming; and the Marion Gerrish Community Center will assist with funding resources, allocation of goods, administrative support, and additional services as needed.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Sarah Garvin at 603.434.8866 or sgarvin@mgccderrynh.org
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