Students who are a part of the Alexander Henderson Elementary School Exploring Our Island after-school program will be diverted from their historical tours a bit as they make a special stopover to Herbert Grigg Home for the Elderly at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. In the spirit of the season, the young explorers will put aside their walking shoes and tune up their voices to sing popular Christmas carols to Grigg’s residents before presenting them with some of the many items on their “wish lists.” Community members interested in contributing board games, books, linen, personal hygienic items and clothing accessories, such as bibs, head ties, handkerchiefs, to the cause should go to the school to make the donation this week.
The program is being piloted at the school year through Title V CHOICES (Current Issues, Historic Touch, Open Minded, Independent Thinking, Culturally Impacted, Engaged, Students) sponsorship.
Renee Hansen, program manager for the St. Croix district Safe Schools Program, which monitors CHOICES, said Henderson’s after-school pilot project accommodates about 60 students from kindergarten to the third grade. Beside its historical and exploratory components, the after-school program also assists students with academic reinforcement, which includes homework assistance and tutoring.
The visit to Herbert Grigg Home is in line with the objectives of the after-school program as students will get the opportunity to learn about the island’s traditions and history when they interact with their elders.
The students meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for about 30 minutes of discussion, which includes learning about historical sites targeted for a Friday tour. Thus, every Friday is reserved for a 2 ½ hour visit to historical sites in close proximity to the school. Then on every third Saturday of each month students go on five-hour field trips to sites further away from the program site.
For more information on CHOICES After-School Program, contact Renee Hansen at 773-1095, ext. 7057.
