DPIE Afterschool Enrollment Growing Rapidly
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A student learns using Legos and a tablet in a DPIE Afterschool Program course. This years Afterschool Winter Session opened for enrollment today - November 1, 2017.
Have you ever had the chance to participate in classes with names like Oodles of Doodles, Inventors Workshop, Introduction to Comedy Improvisation, Mastering Chess, The Science of Gardens -The Power of Soil, and Kiddie Coding – Intro to Computer Programming? Well those are just a few of the 22 teacher inspired classes currently running at six Dublin elementary schools this fall as part of the DPIE afterschool program. A total of 335 DUSD elementary students have enrolled in creative classes like these and are having fun while learning during afterschool hours. “My daughter just loves the program as well as her teacher,” said a parent at Dougherty Elementary while waiting for her child’s class to end. “The classes are fun, interesting and educational and my daughter looks forward to class each week. I’m happy to see her excited to learn.”
DPIE has provided our Amador Owls an opportunity for enrichment outside of structured classroom instruction by providing a great mix of creative arts, science, math and writing. What makes the program so successful is that it’s taught by our own wonderful teachers who are invested in the students and take pride in their development”“DPIE has provided our Amador Owls an opportunity for enrichment outside of structured classroom instruction by providing a great mix of creative arts, science, math and writing. What makes the program so successful is that it’s taught by our own wonderful teachers who are invested in the students and take pride in their development - Amee Johal, Amador PFC President
School site teachers are recruited to the program so they can teach their passion in their own classrooms after the end of the regular school day. Teachers have the freedom to design and present their own teacher created programs and come up with some amazing classes.
One of the reasons I enjoy the afterschool program so much is that it allows me to teach something that I am passionate about that doesn't exactly fall into my specific grade or subject area. Students are there for the love of the subject and their own curiosity. It allows for a different type of learning that does not need to be measured or tracked. - Dougherty Elementary Instructor, John Price
The afterschool program was piloted in the fall of 2016 at Dougherty Elementary and word of the teacher created classes spread quickly. By the winter of last school year the program spread to three additional schools (Amador, Frederiksen & Kolb) and a fifth school, (Murray) was added in the spring. A total of 656 students enrolled in DPIE classes last year and as a result, DPIE donated $7,700 in funds back to district schools.
I’m excited to be able to share my passion for all things STEAM-related with our elementary students. It’s incredible to be able to teach things like computational thinking and the engineering design process and see how quickly our students grasp the concepts and embrace them. As a parent, I struggled to find quality STEAM programs for my own children, so I am always trying to create the classes that I would have wanted for my own kids. - DHS Media Specialist, Doreen Bonde
This fall DPIE classes were introduced at Dublin Elementary School and a total of 65 Dublin Elementary students are now enrolled in art, coding, science and improvisation classes being taught by Dublin Elementary teachers. A recent visit to the program offered evidence of student enthusiasm for the program. In the Improvisation class, students were paired up and participated in a “Clap, Snap, Stomp,” activity geared to getting them to think quickly on their feet. As one students was heard to say, “this is fun!” At the same time, students were required to listen to their partner, think and react.
Dublin Elementary School is very excited about the launch of the DPIE afterschool STEAM program this year. Students in grades K-5 are learning computer coding, performance arts, and exploring the sciences! The classes are facilitated by DES teachers, and we are thrilled by its success! Thank you, DPIE, for supporting our students and for your generous donations. Fins up! - Dublin Principal, Lauren McGovern
The genesis for the afterschool STEAM classes came two years ago from feedback gathered when DPIE staff members, Rich Boschetti and Vickie Constantinides visited elementary PFC’s (Parent Faculty Clubs) in Dublin. Parents asked DPIE to consider creating afterschool options for their children.
Parents in the community made it known they wanted afterschool educational opportunities that would enrich their child’s learning. Our Academy staff, Rich and Vickie, developed the concept, recruited local elementary school teachers, and helped them design courses that would be meaningful to the students. The program grew rapidly, which shows us the parents in the community appreciate what we are offering. The entire DPIE Board is excited to see how the program expands this year. - DPIE Board President, Katherine Utsumi
What separates DPIE from other afterschool vendors is that it is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support programs in the Dublin School District. Like other afterschool vendors, DPIE pays rent to the district for classroom use, but unlike other organizations, DPIE donates funds back to the schools for every class that moves forward. This fall DPIE will generate $5,500 in donations to Amador, Dublin, Dougherty, Frederiksen, Kolb & Murray elementary schools. DPIE also allocates part of the generated revenues to scholarship the children of families in need in the district. Families who qualify for the Free & Reduced Price Lunch Program can receive 100% financial support so their children have the ability to participate in afterschool classes. DPIE’s goal is to make the program available to every school and child who desires to participate in the program.
Related Links
- STEAM Afterschool Program Learn more about the program and enroll your child in an afterschool course.
- About the Academy Learn more about our Summer Programs and Year Round Afterschool Elementary Programs.
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