Barren Beyond the Bell
By: CheyAnne Fant
It’s three o’clock…Do you know where most students are? As I watch the traffic leave BarrenCountyHigh School’sparking lot, I wonder where all the students are going. Some students scurry around town to get to their afterschool jobs while others cruise around to the local hang-outs. Many students participate in clubs or sports that fill their afternoons with activities, but where do the other students go?
Though it has been several years ago, I can recollect the afterschool hours I experienced as a teen. I remember watching afterschool specials on TV, going to work at a local car dealership, and running through drive-thru to grab a bite to eat before going to a ballgame. On a typical day with homework in tow, I would arrive at home, assure my parents that my brother and I had arrived safely, grab a snack, and flip on “Days of Our Lives” while I did my homework. Sound typical? Well, according to research from the AfterSchool Alliance, 55% of high school students care for themselves until parents get home.
So what is wrong with self-care of high school students? I was a latch-key kid of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, and I think I turned out just fine. But, my life could have gone another direction. The hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime, according to studies published by the AfterSchool Alliance.YMCA studies show that teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. In addition, teens who are not involved in afterschool activities are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and are more likely to drink, smoke and engage in sexual activity.
So, is there a solution to these issues? According to early childhood education expert, James Heckman, acombination of early education and participation in afterschool programs can reduce initiating drug use among youth by nearly 50 % (45.8) while reducing the likelihood of them skipping school by half. Afterschool programs using proven approaches have shown long-term benefits for youth including improvements in personal, social, and academic skills as well as self-esteem. The Promising Afterschool Programs Study found that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is also linked to significant gains in standardized test scores and work habits, as well as reductions in behavior problems among disadvantaged students (AfterSchool Alliance).
BarrenCountyHigh Schoolhas the solution to some of these issues through the means of a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant as well as other afterschool activities. Some of the students of BCHS are enrolled in Barren Beyond the Bell, our afterschool program. As the 21st Century Counselor and Grant Coordinator, I assure that students in our program have great opportunities for activities that will lead to academic, social, and personal success. Though we are in the beginning stages of this grant, we already offer a variety of services to our students at no cost to the parent. There is even transportation to the student’s home two days per week, as well as free daily snacks.
Services for Barren Beyond the Bell are linked to three major goals: 1. Improve all students’ academic performance in reading, math, and science. 2. Increase parental involvement in educational activities. 3. Increase student participation in school and/or community activities. Through this grant, we can make more parent contacts, develop relationships with students, provide academic counseling and support systems, track student progress, and oversee the creation of afterschool programming to enhance reading, math, and science while also encompassing a fun learning environment. All activities are connected to Kentucky Core Content for Assessment and/or ACT Standard Practices.
Current programming includes classes related to academic counseling, homework help, tutoring, zumba, pilates, weigh training, ballroom dancing, golf basics, computer skills, tumbling, online scrapbooking and journaling, ACT orientation,running/healthy choices, gaming, as well as college & career readiness. Through community partners like Commonwealth Broadcasting, we are also able to offer an afterschool radio program as well as publicity for our programs.
If you are interested in unlocking the future of a latch-key student, Barren Beyond the Bell would like your support. All students need a safe place to go after school ends, fun activities to enjoy, a caring adult to relate to, and opportunities to expand their horizons and experiences which will develop their skills. Programs like Barren Beyond the Bell need local partnerships with businesses, citizens, and community-based organizations in order to ensure that all young people become successful and productive citizens.
So, how can you help? We need to spread the importance of involvement in afterschool activities, so share this article with a high school parent. Want to do more? CallBarrenCountyHigh School to volunteer your services as a mentor to one of our students or contact us to help teach a class. Community members can enrich a student’s participation by adding relevance to the curriculum while also building relationships that hold students accountable for their success.
For more information about programming or to sign a student up for these services, please visit our website at or call CheyAnne Fant at 270-629-5505.