Union County is quite a special place when it comes to community recognizing opportunity and making it happen. This year of changes due to Covid-19 has been proof that all the effort Union County, and its organizations, put forth is “one step ahead.” UT Extension Union County has been staying “one step ahead” in a variety of ways during 2020. One example is by bringing an afterschool program to Big Ridge Elementary School for the next 5 years.
Last fall, Extension Agent Alyshia Victoria, saw an opportunity to apply for a grant through the University of Tennessee providing funding for a five-year long afterschool program. After working fast to reach out to schools and the board of education, a proposal was drafted. Early this spring the Extension office got the exciting news that Union County was awarded the 150,000 grant which provides operational funding, income for a site director and at least 4 teachers, advanced training opportunities, and additional equipment for Big Ridge School. Thus, the “BRIGHT,” Big Ridge Investing in Growth and Health through Teaching, afterschool program was born. Best of all, this creates a quality afterschool program at no cost to families in the Big Ridge community. Everyone was excited for the opportunity and got to work planning.
Now fast forward to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year! Who could have imagined just how important the opening of this afterschool program would be? Now more than ever, students need supportive teachers, communities, and additional ways to learn. Union County teachers are working hard to ensure students do not fall behind, but 2020 has been the perfect example of how “It Takes a Village.” Families need quality educational opportunities, both on-site and virtual, beyond the classroom. Additionally, adults need opportunities to gain more skills in parenting and teaching to support their students while managing their families.
The opening of this afterschool program will extend learning through discovery in small group settings, providing additional learning supports in reading, language arts, STEM, health, and physical activity. Teachers will be given the opportunity to gain supplemental income for their work in the program. Kelly Irick, herself attending Big Ridge Elementary at one time, has now taken on the role of site director to manage the program. Support and family engagement is provided by UT Extension Agent, Alyshia Victoria, who has a background in Nutrition/Child & Family Studies. Collaboration between the board of education, Big Ridge Elementary, and UT Extension has created the opportunity for this program to be “BRIGHT” and allow student to shine when they need it most.
For more information on the “BRIGHT” afterschool program, please contact Alyshia Victoria at aphill34@utk.edu or by calling 865-992-8038.