After-school programs keep children busy after the bell

The fun doesn't stop when the final school bell rings at Mountain View Elementary in the Salt Lake School District.

After downing a nutritious snack, such as pretzels and juice, about 175 children dig into academic rigor as well as try their hand at sports, art and theater each day.

They head home at 5 p.m.

"After-school hours are a chance for children to really grow and blossom," said Christine Forstner, Utah Afterschool Network executive director.

Mountain View, 1380 S. Navajo St., is home to one of the state's 300 after-school programs.

A total of 24,803 children — 5 percent of the state's student population — participate in after-school programs, according to UAN.

The goal is for that number to double by 2012, UAN officials announced Monday. The group's hope is to convince legislators, community leaders, parents and educators to emphasize after-school programs.

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is on board, saying after-school programs are good fiscally as well as excellent for keeping kids out of trouble. "It makes a lot of sense," he said.

In Utah, 114,000 school-age children — 23 percent of the student population — are responsible for taking care of themselves after school, according to UAN.

After-school programs have been proven to reduce juvenile crime, drugs, teen pregnancy and dropout rates. An added benefit is a better-educated workforce, UAN officials say.

A total of 84 percent of Utah children are in families with either two working parents or a single parent working full time. However, UAN officials point out that any student can attend and benefit from an after-school program.

The programs are funded by grants. The 21st Century Community Learning Center, through the U.S. Department of Education, doles out about $5 million annually to Utah.

The Utah Department of Workforce Services offers $30,000 per year with a 100 percent match required for after-school programs. Churches, non-profit organizations and school districts apply for the grant funding. For information go to www.jobs.utah.gov.

A great advocate for after-school programs, Norma Matheson, former Utah first lady from 1977 to 1985, said coming home to an empty house is not a great experience.

"Most children would much prefer to be within a safe environment after school," Matheson said. She is the mother of Congressman Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

"It's also an enrichment for them. It just adds to the flavor of their whole education as far as broadening their horizons, and giving them more activities," she said, adding that parents appreciate their kids being safe.