DPIE presents a check to Frederiksen Elementary School for participation in the Academy’s Afterschool Program. Pictured: Linda Smith (DPIE Board Member and Asst. City Mgr.), Claire Mognaga (Frederiksen Principal), Vickie Constantinides (DPIE Program Manager), Kristen Candaux (Frederiksen Asst. Principal).
DPIE Gives $7,700 Back to Schools
Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE) donated a total of $7,700 back to five Dublin elementary schools for their participation in DPIE’s pilot STEAM Afterschool program. Most recently funds from the spring 2017 session were presented during August back-to-school activities at each school. This innovative program was introduced to the district during the 2016-17 school year. Donations were made based on the number of classes offered at each school and the number of students who enrolled in those classes. Donated funds were designated to be used to support school activities and were split between student leadership, the PFC, and the site administration.
Parents Requested Afterschool Options
Last fall, in response to parent requests throughout the district and working in partnership with Dougherty Administrators Brett Nelson and Heather Ghereben, as well as their PFC leadership, DPIE staff recruited six teachers from Dougherty Elementary to “Teach Their Passion” to students afterschool for one hour a day, one day a week, for 10 weeks. A total of 96 Dougherty students enrolled in the program and the success of those classes provided the impetus to expand the offering to Amador, Kolb, and Frederiksen schools for the winter session. Murray Elementary was the fifth school to add DPIE afterschool classes last spring. The STEAM Afterschool program gathered momentum as word spread about the quality of the classes being offered. Course offerings proved popular with students and parents alike as classes were both fun and educational. A total 656 students participated in a variety of teacher-inspired STEAM classes during the pilot year. Three 10-week sessions were offered in the fall, winter and spring with teachers from each home school being recruited to design and offer courses they were passionate about teaching.
$7,700 Donated Back to Participating Schools
Like other outside programs, DPIE pays facility fees to the district to use school classrooms after hours; however, unlike other after-hours programs, DPIE donates funds back to each site based on the number of classes that drew enrollment and the number of students enrolled.
Donations to Schools
- Dougherty – 3 sessions $2,450
- Amador – 2 sessions $2,000
- Frederiksen – 2 sessions $1,300
- Kolb – 2 sessions $1,500
- Murray – 1 session $450
All courses offered through the STEAM Afterschool program were listed by school site on the DPIE website and parents were able to register their children online any time day or night. Enrollment fees are used to pay facility fees, teacher salaries, class supplies, registration fees and make those important donations back to the schools. DPIE also offered scholarships to families in need who could not afford to pay.
2017 – 18 Classes Taking Enrollments
This fall, DPIE was invited to expand course offerings to include Dublin Elementary where we are now offering five afterschool course options to students. Afterschool programs are now available at six elementary schools in Dublin. We hope to eventually expand the program opportunities to every family and elementary school within the district. The popularity of STEAM Afterschool classes continues to grow as 300 students have already registered in the fall program. To view the classes available at your school visit our Afterschool Programs page and select your school’s icon to find the perfect course for your child.
