After School Explorers Fund
The After School Explorers Fund, established in 2014 with proceeds from the Run For It event, provides support for after-school and parent-student programs in Preston County, enhancing educational opportunities through project-based learning and STREAM activities.
TYPE OF FUND: Field of Interest/Temporarily Endowed
DATE ESTABLISHED: Initiated September 27, 2014, with proceeds from Run For It. Approved by the Board of Directors on May 20, 2015.
PURPOSE: To provide support for Preston County, primarily for after-school programs for parents and students, with secondary consideration for school-day programs involving students and parents.
DISTRIBUTION: Upon the recommendation of the Grants Committee and approval by the full Board of Directors of TCF.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: Proceeds from Team After School Explorers - Run For It 2014 initiated the fund under the direction and leadership of Susie Huggins, Project Coordinator.
BACKGROUND: After School Explorers is a dynamic educational program funded in part by two five-year 21st Century Community Learning Center grants and in-kind support from Preston County Schools. The program focuses on student and parent achievement, with proceeds from this endowed fund enhancing existing programs and providing sustainable solutions for future needs in Preston County.
After-school programming emphasizes helping students reach grade-level proficiency by third grade and developing critical thinking skills. Project-based learning and STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math) activities form the core of the program. After School Explorers meet at the end of the regular school day, offering students homework help, a healthy snack, and an enrichment activity.
Summer programming includes STEAM Explorers for grades K-4, a robotics focus for students in grades 5-9, and a Zero Robotics competition involving writing computer code for the International Space Station.
Parent achievement programs include Little Learners, where parents learn to support their child’s social skills and educational development in areas such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes. Parents also have access to the school library to check out books, prepare for READ ALOUD activities, or improve their own reading skills. Additionally, school computer labs are open two hours a week for parents to take online classes or seek employment opportunities.
Eight sites in Preston County currently benefit from the After School Explorers program: Aurora School, Bruceton School, Fellowsville Elementary, Kingwood Elementary, Rowlesburg School, South Preston School, Terra Alta East Preston School, and Valley Elementary.
"Funding for this 21st Century Community Learning Center is provided wholly or in part by a grant from the United States Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title IV Part B, with grant administration carried out by the West Virginia Department of Education."
