Program Keeps Kids Busy After School

Rather than watching TV or possibly making mischief, Sierra Linda Elementary School students can head to the school cafeteria for such after-school activities as flag football, drawing, painting, games, and--of course--study time.

Weekdays between 2 and 5 p.m., the Sierra Linda cafeteria becomes one of five after-school programs run by the Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard. The program will hold grand-opening ceremonies at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 2201 Jasmine Ave.

“Basically, it’s an after-school program aimed at latchkey kids,” said Rosa Villa, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club.

“It provides an alternative to idle, unsupervised time that they have at home alone.”

Open since September, the free after-school program has attracted 276 members.

On any given afternoon, about 100 students jam the cafeteria for games, sports and arts and crafts, Villa said.

Before the fun starts, every student, from age 6 to 12, must study.

“It’s very structured,” Villa said. “The first hour is homework hour. Everyone who walks in the door between 2 and 3 [p.m.] is doing homework.”

At least four Boys & Girls Club employees supervise the students every day--as well as parent, senior citizen and Oxnard College volunteers, Villa added.

At a cost of about $35,000 a year, the after-school program is sponsored by the city’s community development block-grant program, the Oxnard Elementary School District, the Sierra Linda PTA, the Boys & Girls Club and various grants and donations.

It is the fifth such Boys & Girls Club program in the city. Others are held at the Squires housing project and at Driffill, Lemonwood and Mar Vista elementary schools.

“Every after-school program gets a very positive reaction from parents,” Villa said. “It sort of eliminates the cost of day care for parents, and the kids are in a safe environment doing positive things. . . . Our goal is to be at every school in the elementary school district.”

For information or reservations, call the Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard at 488-5717.