Brandon Twp.- After a less than sweet beginning, the M & M Club has had some changes and is being rolled out again.
The after school club that emphasizes academics and physical fitness for fifth and sixth-graders was to start Oct. 3 at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, but fizzled after only two students enrolled.
‘We’re not giving up on it,? said Brandon Superintendent Tom Miller. ‘Kids at that age need academic support and physical activity. We’ll do whatever we can to provide the program to kids.?
Miller suspects the reason for low enrollment may have been the cost– $35 a week for a child to be in the program daily from 2:50-5 p.m. and paid monthly (cost for October, for example, would have been $140). A fee for the program that offers activities such as recreational gym time, art, computers, crafts, games, homework help and unstructured time to relax with friends or read is necessary to cover supervision, supplies, and snacks.
Miller is hoping businesses and individuals will step forward and make donations to help run the program, which he expects the yearly cost to be between $20,000- $25,000. He said grants and other programs are also being considered. To raise enrollment, the cost for students has been lowered and parents can pay on a daily or weekly basis. The reduced rate is to be $6 or $7 daily (depending on donations) and $30 for the weekly rate.
‘I still think it’s a positive venture,? said Miller, who noted that brochures were mailed to every fifth and sixth grade parent last week to encourage them to enroll their child in the Mind and Motion After School Club. ‘We need 20-30 kids a week in order to run it.?
For more information on the M & M Club, contact June Wuopio at the Sherman Lifelong Learning Center, (248) 627-1762.