Thanks, got to start some where, one small change at a time.

MagnetMom, Good Post
As always you are a wealth of information. Thank You!

Hi Candlemom,

I looked in your profile and saw you're in Staten Island. If your school currently isn't participating in an enrichment program, check out Mad Science. The kids at my daughter's school love the program. It runs about an hour after school one day a week. There is a franchise in your area: www.madscience.org/locations/locationInfo.aspx?zipCode=10301

Afterschool enrichment programs abound here in Southern California, so many that we get brochures and pamphlets at the school every month or so. You might want to try to Google a few different key words with your area and "afterschool" or "enrichment" or "activities." Even the Y will likely come in and teach courses afterschool. These services all charge (in my area it's about $9-11 per class), so if you're wanting to start something volunteer in your community, you'd want to start with the school board and see what they require in terms of bonding, fingerprinting, TB testing, etc., before you get started. But you can talk to other parents who have different areas of expertise and offer to teach to the kids.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

I'm from Il. It seems like a huge undertaking to make this a nationwide program. But you go Girl!!!!

Maybe if u post in local question & answers for your state and town u could start there with other people who live close to you.

Good Luck!!!

Hi Vacekd, this is something I have been thinking about for a few years. My idea is to have an affordable place that kids can go after school to learn math, creative writing, guitar, singing pottery etc. With all the buget cuts there is little left out there. The problem I am having now is there is no enrichment programs in my district, and they don't return phone calls,(actually I got hung up on last time) welcome to NY. Also my son can't take the IGC test until next year so he won't be getting the education he needs until 3rd grade. Right now he is redoing the same curriculum he did in kindergarten so I put him in enrichment at the local college. I plan on shelling out for private school next year, eventhough I am a single mom who doesn't receive support. I guess I am outraged the system doesn't work, so why not start something that does work and take our community back?
I was part of a after school program that offered guitar and other instruments. That program raised most of the money themselves, by doing performances, fundraisers, many of those kids were elligible for music scholarships, who otherwise probably wouldn't have went to college. After a while the colleges came looking for us.
I am looking for others who have ideas, or run a similar service tutoring etc, to post comments or thoughts, or lend a hand. I will take your advice on the groups, thanks for getting back to me,

I really do not know anything about starting an enrichment program. Could you tell us more about your idea.
Also I looked at your member profile and noticed you are not a member of any groups so I would like to suggest a few.

Choosing the Right School for Your Child
community.greatschools.net/groups/11558

Getting to Know You
community.greatschools.net/groups/11532

Community Feedback Forum
community.greatschools.net/groups/11530

If you could tell us more about yourself and the problems you are having with your school district we will be better able to help you.