Sept. 19,2007 — At Claude O. Markoe Elementary School in Frederiksted Wednesday, youngsters hurried through snack time, anxious to get to their next class in the Beacon Schools project.
"Most of the children return year after year," said Estelle McIntosh, site coordinator of Beacon Schools at Markoe. "They really like things to do after school."
The Beacon project is modeled after a program in New York using schools after hours to provide structured educational activities. The first three V.I. Beacon Schools opened in December 1997 with 634 participants.
Elena Christian Junior High School in Christiansted is also a Beacon school. The program is open to the public, parochial and private-school children, with an enrollment fee of $10.
"There is always an ongoing open enrollment," said Matson Greene, site coordinator at Elena Christian. "We never turn anyone away."
The site coordinators get Iowa Basic test scores and call parents to encourage them to enroll their children if they see deficiencies.
"Some parents wait until the first marking period and then enroll their children, but I try to encourage parents not to wait," Greene said. "Sometimes it's hard for students to redeem themselves if they have failed in the first marking period."
The programs at both schools begin in the afternoon with a homework tutorial class in which everyone must participate.
"The parents of the lower-grade students really like this class that teaches the basics on study habits," Greene said.
The Beacon Schools partner with teachers to find where the students may need help in basics such as reading and math, and then it provides the tutoring. The majority of the tutors — called sponsors — are teachers, and they see that homework gets done.
"When the children are in the homework tutorial they must focus on school work," Greene said. "Also the program provides reading, math, social studies and science tutorials."
After the homework tutorial, which runs until 4:30 p.m., the children take part in recreational activities.
At Elena Christian, classes are offered on steel pan, cooking, computer basics for adults and children, and adult exercise. Program organizers may add classes if they get requests for them. Future plans include a project that will introduce soccer to local housing communities.
Markoe has classes on basket weaving, storytelling, sports, creating felt ornaments and music. Markoe Principal Kent Moorhead is sponsoring a class on how to play the ukulele.
"I really love the classes at Beacon School, and Mrs. McIntosh makes sure we are happy and safe, " said Michael Auguste, a Beacon student.
A volunteer sponsoring a T-shirt-painting project also praised the program.
"The Beacon Schools are very valuable and definitely needed in our community," said Olga Macedon. "It is very well organized and supervised."
Beacon Schools of the Virgin Islands is a non-profit organization led by a board of trustees that includes business executives, public officials, directors of civic organizations and community leaders.
The major fund raiser is the annual Celebrity Golf Classic, held in August. The Beacon Schools have established a working relationship with the V.I. Department of Education, according to Kevin Rames, president of the board of directors.
"One of the key components of the success of the program are the volunteers who bring a certain energy and exposure to the program," he said. "I am very confident this is the best year so far with the number of programs, volunteers and students enrolled. … I am proud of the record of accomplishments made in 10 years."
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