Second Grade Students Invited to Attend After School Program

Above: Expressing varying degrees of amusement, Partners After School @ Accident participants enjoy a joke shared by a staff member. Pictured left to right are Lukas Wolf, Kelsey Schmidt, Tyler Walker, Faith Montgomery, Lylee Jones (in front), Madison Folk, Ava Wolf, and Zoe Dolan.

For the first time in its 18-year history, Partners After School @ Accident (PAS) is inviting second grade students to join the program. PAS is now open to second through fifth grade Accident Elementary School and Accident-area homeschool students. Normal program days are Monday through Friday from 3:30-6 p.m.

“While approximately 29% of Accident Elementary third through fifth grade students participate in the PAS program, we find there are still slots available to add students,” said director Venessa Stacy. “We’re excited to share our mission to improve the health of youth by promoting healthy eating and physical activity with a broader age range.”

“Our after school attendees explore a variety of physically active hobbies, learn to create healthy snacks, and assume leadership roles in planning activities,” Stacy said. “Structured and unstructured recreation time, sometimes with guest instructors, offers a sampling of new sports, games, and hobbies in hopes that the students will develop a life-long fitness routine.”

Partners After School @ Accident also offers daily snack, homework assistance, and scholar sessions- a time each day set aside for learning more about nutrition, life skills, STEM, arts, and any other topics the youth choose during their leadership planning sessions.

PAS is held at Accident Elementary School. Interested parents may register their second through fifth grade students at the next PAS sign up meeting on February 12 at 6 pm, located in the school’s cafeteria. The start date for new participants will be Tuesday, February 19. While participants are encouraged to attend the program each weekday, alternate schedules are accommodated if space is available.

Partners After School @ Accident is funded by the Garrett County Health Department and administered by the agency’s Health Education and Outreach staff. Partners After School @ Accident does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, color, religious belief, national origin, or disability in providing access to programs.

For more information about PAS call Venessa Stacy at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department