After-school fun

Isabel Meza, 12, plays a G chord on the Ibanez guitar as Carson Middle School teacher Mark Wilson sound checks each of the individual strings.

"That one's a little muffled," he said of the D string. "Press down on the string really hard. You've really got to press down."

She did and the G chord rang out beautifully. Meza was in an enrichment course Thursday afternoon at Carson Middle School.

The after-school enrichment program started in October as part of the federal 21st Century grant money given to the school over five years. Eagle Valley Middle School is also a recipient of the grant, which provides $60,000 each year separately to the schools.

Fifty-seven students are participating in the enrichment program from 2:15-4:30 p.m. at Carson Middle School. Students are split into five groups and alternate weekly through Carson Middle teachers paid through the grant. They spend a week each on the subjects of English, reading, math, social studies and science.

"The program is not only to give these kids academic assistance," said coordinator Ananda Campbell. "Many of these kids just need a safe place to be."

While many of the students graduate out of the program after a five-week period, some stay in it to maximize the benefits.

Jordan Arellano, an eighth-grader, began in October. He likes having teachers help him with his homework, enjoys the enrichment activities and has seen his grades rise.

"I used to have really bad grades," he said Thursday in Bill Schultz's enrichment welding class. "I used to have an F in English. And now I have a C. And I want to get it better, like an A or B."

Thursday is the day of the week when serious studies are dropped and the fun begins. Students can learn about subjects such as guitar, welding, art, origami and soccer. Many of the teachers working on Thursdays volunteer their time and are not paid through the grant.

"As the coordinator of the program, I was worried about having enough options for the kids," Campbell said. "It has been tremendous all the teachers who have come forward. I recently talked with someone teaching kick-boxing."

She is hoping community members who have a skill to offer to the students will call and help out. When the grant money ends in five years, it is the community, she hopes, that will keep it afloat.

"Many of these kids just don't normally get this kind of enrichment."

To assist in the program call Campell at 283-2800.

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.