FUHSD wins Golden Bell award for successful program

While many high school students are anxious to get off campus at the end of the school day to pursue other endeavors, some don’t have as much to look forward to, or need extra help in an academic subject they are struggling with. Between 160 and 175 students that fit this description regularly take advantage of the safe, positive haven offered in Fallbrook Union High School District’s After School Safety Enrichment for Teens (ASSETS) program. And as a result of the program’s success, the district was awarded a prestigious Golden Bell award in San Diego on Dec. 3 by the California School Boards Association. The program was a contender in the extracurricular category of the annual competition.

“A lot of the kids involved in the <ASSETS> program are at-risk students that don’t have anything positive to do after school,” explained assistant principal Adam Dawson who directs the program with guidance counselor Michael Perales. “This is an opportunity for them to choose from about 15 different activities offered and they can change their choice at any time.”

“We try to get parental support and teacher support to get these kids into the program,” said Perales.

Dawson emphasized that ASSETS is “not a babysitting program,” but described it as “a warm environment where kids can be safe.”

“Many of the teachers involved in this program are bilingual so we can serve everyone’s needs, and any teacher on campus has the ability to start an activity in this program, they just have to make sure to get enough kids interested in it to attend,” said Dawson.

“We have gotten a lot of ESL (English as a Second Language) kids involved, because of the bilingual teachers helping with it,” said Perales.

While teachers are used for many activities, individuals are also contracted from off campus to lead certain programs.

Currently, ASSETS opportunities include classes in guitar, cooking, self defense, sewing, computers, and more. Sports and fitness activities include soccer, weightlifting, and exercising in the gym with a full array of equipment at their disposal.

Classes to assist in academics include two general homework sessions, chemistry, two math help sessions, and English. An open library session is also available as well as an opportunity to participate in the Big Brothers/Sisters program.

Established in September 2008, the program was made possible through a five-year federal 21st Century grant that provides $215,000 in funding annually.

The ASSETS program is offered each school day from 3 to 6 p.m., during what experts call the “critical hours” after school. The idea is to help the students build relationships, develop leadership skills, and boost their self confidence, rather than allowing them to falter and subsequently make destructive choices.

Dawson said most of the students who utilize the program do so because their teachers and/or parents have suggested it.

“What ends up happening is that when a student does use the program, many times it will lead to his or her friends also attending and that is a good thing,” he said.

The teachers and staff that lead the various programs are the key, Dawson said.

“The big component is the staff, because kids enjoy certain teachers,” he said. “It is a very relationship-oriented program.”

Dawson said kids many times see the teachers in a different light when participating in the after school activities.

“They see that teachers like to do things like play soccer, teach art, etc.,” he said.

Attendance for the ASSETS program is handled by Jennifer Jepsen, who said students have the ability to just show up for one of the classes and enroll on the spot.

“All students’ activity is tracked,” said Jepsen, confirming information can be provided to a parent or guardian at any time.

Ashley Campbell, who serves as a campus supervisor during the after school program, said she has been impressed with the positive change it has evoked with certain students.

“I have seen students who were in trouble last year come into this program and turn their grades around,” said Campbell. “They see very quickly that we don’t judge them. They know this is a safe environment for them.”

Fellow campus supervisor Cori Jepsen said it’s the warm environment that makes the difference.

“That’s what I love about the <ASSETS> program,” he said. “If a student doesn’t get love and nurturing at home, they can get it here.”

Campbell and Cori Jepsen, who are both in their second year working with the program, agreed their favorite activity is spending time in the library with the students.

“It’s fun to go in there and play games with them,” said Campbell.

“On Fridays we play Wii; I definitely enjoy my time with them,” added Cori Jepsen.

Both Jepsen and Campbell said they would love to see a “suburban art” section be offered within the ASSETS program.

“We see all the tagging (graffiti) that goes on around here and we know that these kids love art and want to express themselves,” said Campbell. “It would be great to have a class where their art skills can be developed in a positive direction. I think a large number of kids would stay for that.”

The sessions offered for exercise and working out in the school weight rooms are very popular. Science teacher Dave Albritton helps in that activity area.

“I always invite the kids to come in and spend some time; there’s no pressure; I just encourage them to participate,” said Albritton. “I always wonder what these kids would be doing if they weren’t here.”

John Kroeger also helps in the weight rooms. “Working with the ASSETS program involves teaching, training, and supervising the kids,” he said. “Many off season athletes take advantage of this time to work out.”

Jose Tagle-Nava oversees math help sessions. “We help with subjects like Pre Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, AP Calculus, and more,” said Tagle-Nava. “In this class, students can also work on their typing skills, do computer research, and more.”

On the athletic fields, soccer is a big interest in this after school program. Perales and Ricardo Leyva are the two key individuals who supervise this endeavor.

“I just love to play soccer with the kids,” said Perales. “We get very competitive on the field.

“We started out with just a few kids and how they show up in bunches,” said Leyva.

Perales said he and other staff members continue to promote the program to reach out to as many students as possible.

“We try to keep getting the positive word out about the program, we participate in the club information days, and remind the students that we have free bus transportation home for them,” said Perales, who explained that adequate funding for transportation after the normal school dismissal time has been critical to the success of the program.

“I feel that we owe our success to the bus system provided,” he said.

Students taking advantage of the ASSETS program are provided with a snack and beverage at 4 p.m. each day. The school café is also open in the event a student wishes to purchase a particular item.

Since the current funding for the ASSETS program is scheduled to be available through the 2012-2013 school year only, coordinators are concerned about the fate of such a beneficial opportunity for the kids.

“We hope to keep getting grants to continue, but what if we don’t get another grant?” Dawson asked. “Are these kids just going to be out of luck?”

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