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After School Programs

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There are many options for after-school programs. On-site care is available at 7:30 a.m. Extended Day Care (EDC), a district program, offers both before and after-school care until 5:45 p.m. for eligible families. Check with the district admissions office for eligibility requirements. BAM All Stars provides both before and after-school care until 6 p.m., with a wide variety of enrichment activities as well as help with homework; K and 1st grade sections fill up early, so you may want to apply in the spring. New School and the Jewish Community Center offer off-site programs for BAM students.

The PTA organizes a fantastic selection of after-school classes, usually an hour long each, including circus, hip-hop dance, chess, Morris dancing, harmonica, drums, guitar, Lego, ceramics, Spanish, computer technology, art and yoga. The sign-up process for PTA classes usually begins in early September (after the first few weeks of school). You will receive information in your child's backpack.

Highlights and contact information for all programs are described below:

    1. Extended Day Care (EDC)

      The Extended Day Care program provides before and after-school child care and works with the attendance zone system to ensure accessibility to primary grade children at all elementary schools. The EDC program is on-site at BAM for schools within its zone. Activities in the EDC include homework assistance, reading for recreation, arts and crafts, nutrition education, computer instruction, theater and visual arts, field trips, music, seasonal sports, etc.

      EDC is a year-round program for students in grades K-3 and therefore is open during winter/spring breaks and summer vacation. Registration begins in March; however, enrollment is limited and eligibility is based upon need and income. Fees are based on a sliding scale. For more information call the district after-school and Extended Day Care coordinator at 510-883-6146.

    2. BAM All Stars (Berkeley LEARNS District Program)

      BAM All Stars is the Berkeley LEARNS After-School Program located on-site at BAM. Students can attend BAM All Stars part-time (only certain days) or full-time (every day) after school. The daily program consists of a nutritious snack, enrichment classes, recreational activities and homework/academic centers until 6 p.m. Students who are currently enrolled in the program, and their siblings, receive priority placement. Additional slots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program maintains a 1:20 staff to student ratio.

      To download an application visit: http://www.berkeley.net/after-school-programs/ or call the after-school and extended day care coordinator at 510-883-6146.

    3. PTA After-School Classes

      BAM's PTA offers a wonderful array of after- school classes that run up to an hour after school dismissal. This is not a school district program -- parent volunteers coordinate the classes. The PTA's goal is to make them available to all students. Partial and full scholarships are available.

      Students can go from PTA classes to BAM All Stars or EDC and the youngest students are chaperoned between from PTA classes to their after-school class.

      Two sessions are offered: fall and spring. A brochure advertising the PTA's afterschool classes goes home to families at the beginning of each term. Parents complete the form and include a check made in the name of the PTA. You will only hear from the volunteers who coordinate the class if your child did not get in due to high demand. The coordinators will offer you another class where space is available. Children who do not get in to their first choice will be added to a waiting list to ensure placement the next term.

      At the end of each session, the students perform their new skills during a delightful after-school performance night for families.

    4. Jewish Community Center (JCC) Offsite After-school Program, 1414 Walnut Street (source: www.jcceastbay.org)

      Center Stage, the JCC's Berkeley after-school program, serves children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program includes homework help, creative art projects, working in the garden and playing games. Jewish education is integrated into the curriculum. The program is ongoing through the school year.

      Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Full days are offered on most Berkeley Unified School District holidays. At school dismissal, students ride in a van from BAM to the JCC. Children engage in activities such as science, art, cooking, gardening, sports, drama, and Jewish cultural programming. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 510-848-0237 to request a brochure.

    5. The New School of Berkeley Offsite Childcare, 1606 Bonita Street (source: www.newschoolberkeley.org)

      New School is a preschool and day care center for children 2 through 12 years of age, offering before and after-school care for children in elementary schools. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There are a variety of scheduling options so that families can choose a schedule best suited to their needs. All programs are five days a week. Students going to New School after their school day gather in the yard at dismissal. They are picked up by a New School teacher who walks them to the school a few blocks away. Call 510-548-9165 to register.


    6. A World of Peace After-school Program (AWOP) Offsite After-school Program, Live Oak Park at 1301 Shattuck Ave. (source: http://www.aworldofpeace.info)

      A World of Peace After School Program is a fun and enriching program open to children entering grades K through 6th. We are open during the school year at Live Oak Park in Berkeley. A World of Peace after school program expands and encourages curiosity of all children in a culturally rich and creative environment. Karen Cagan and her staff work to encourage and help the children build positive social skills and friendships. The program also helps develop and enhance children's self-esteem and self worthiness. The program supports children's understanding of how they have a part in making the world a loving, peaceful place to live in, by starting in our own small community, in the lovely setting of the park.

      Hours are from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with 3, 4 and 5 days options plus drop-in as needed for enrolled kids. At school dismissal, students walk (sunny days) or ride in a van from BAM to Live Oak Park. Children engage in activities such as homework support, games (indoors and outdoors), art, cooking, sports, carpentry and a BBQ on Fridays. Full days ( 8:30am to 6pm) are offered on most Berkeley Unified School District holidays. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Karen Cagan, Director at 510.292.0263 for questions or to register.