Many years ago, during the summer after I graduated from college, I took a job with a Milwaukee area recreation department. One of my responsibilities was running a t-ball program for 5- and 6-year-olds.

On the first day, I remember looking out at about 35 children who were ready to play. The problem was that I had received exactly zero training on how to manage that many young kids at once. Sure, I had completed a high school teacher education program, but managing a group of energetic kindergartners with plastic bats and balls turned out to be a learning experience of its own. I’ll admit, I was a little terrified. Fortunately, I had a high school assistant who knew a lot more than I did. If she hadn’t been there, I’m not sure I would have come back for day two.

Green Bay Area Public School District Delivers Vital Afterschool Programming to its Community

With 11 sites serving nearly 800 students, the Green Bay Area Public School District is delivering vital afterschool programming to its community. On Thursday, I had the privilege of meeting the incredible team behind these efforts (Amy Fish and Sara Rathsack) and visiting Nicolet Elementary for a firsthand look.

Yeng Her, who coordinates the program at Nicolet, is doing an outstanding job creating fresh, engaging activities. It was inspiring to see such a wide range of options that not only support academic growth but also introduce kids to entirely new skills. During my visit, students enjoyed dinner, used knitting machines, sewed monster plushies, made puppets, played literacy games, played a game of dodgeball, and even had time to run around outside.

Creativity was on full display at Milwaukee Recreation’s second annual Creative Allies Exhibition!

Milwaukee Recreation is providing incredible opportunities for young artists! In May, it was the second annual Creative Allies art exhibition in which 10 different Milwaukee Recreation afterschool sites partnered with Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts to create an entire gallery of art.

Young artists were guided by experienced artists and worked for 11 different sessions before their pieces were hung in the Inova gallery on the UW- Milwaukee campus. Students were bused to the gallery so they could see their work on display as well as interact with the works of the other participants at the exhibit’s reception.

Spotlight on Eisenhower Afterschool: Building Brighter Futures through Community and Enrichment

At Eisenhower Elementary in Green Bay, an afterschool program is making a big difference for kids through its dynamic blend of academic support, creative enrichment, and strong community partnerships. This 21st Century Community Learning Center is a collaborative effort between the Green Bay Area Public Schools and the YMCA of Greater Green Bay. Offered free to all students at the school, it’s a shining example of how afterschool programming can extend learning beyond the classroom and connect students with their community.

According to Samantha Gerzcak, the program’s experienced coordinator, this partnership blends structure and creativity in powerful ways. “We integrate the Y’s core values with district guidelines and our federal grant to provide kids with an experience they might not otherwise have,” she explains.