Love Elementary School After School Amigos student, Elyzik Irizarry Snow, jumps as part of a concentration game while fellow student Jose Rosado and Jefferson Middle School teacher and helper, Heidi Hoden, look on.

The Love Elementary School After School Amigos (ASA) program is thriving. The program, which runs after school on Tuesday through Thursday, is a partnership between Jamestown Community Learning Council and JPS.

The program is designed for English as a New Language students and their families focusing on developing English language and literacy skills. ASA provides a learning environment where students can practice and enhance speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. There is no cost to families or students to attend and a snack is provided for the students.

A key part of the ASA program is the home-to-school connections and family nights that provide parents with strategies to work with their child at home and at school in a fun, engaging atmosphere.

“We work very hard to ensure that parents and families are connected in the program,” said ASA Coordinator and Love teacher, Pat Cunningham. “With the help of Jefferson Middle School fifth grade teacher Heidi Hoden, we invite parents to become involved. We make home visits and hold family activities. We know if parents are connected to their school, so many things will be better for their children, including attendance.”

A special part of the Love After School Amigos Program is their partnership with First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown.

For the past four years, ASA students have visited the church on Wednesdays and meet one-on-one with a volunteer from the church. The pairs complete homework, play games and just talk.

“First Presbyterian Church has been so wonderful with our kids,” said ASA Coordinator Pat Cunningham. “They have done some amazing things for our kids outside of the weekly visits. For example, right before the holiday break, they provided a wonderful celebration. I want to thank Judy Kullberg from First Presbyterian Church who has helped coordinate these weekly visits for many years. We are so appreciative that our neighbors take such interest in our kids.”