Two months into its after-school program, Buchanan County Youth Inc. is already envisioning providing even more area parents and children with another option in after-school child care.
  Becoming an increasing problem for many parents and children in our community, organizations like BCYI are rising up to meet that need. And, while the program has started out small, officials are hoping to expand throughout the county to offer after-school care to all those who need it.
  In May last year, the program saw its start in a $50,000 grant BCYI secured through the Boys & Girls Club.
  "After speaking with parents, we felt there was a need," says Pam Bast, BCYI Executive Director and Chief Professional Officer for the Hurley area Boys & Girls Club.
  Then, in August, the BCYI awarded the program $65,000.
  A pilot program was initiated at the end of January this year at Hurley Elementary/Middle School and Hurley High School from Monday through Wednesday. Children from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible to participate.
  Soon, Bast hopes to begin operating the program from Monday through Friday, as it has already received school board approval.
  When Bast approached Hurley Elementary/Middle School Principal Tim Prater in September last year, Prater says he was quick to agree.
  "I saw a great opportunity for homework help," he says.
  The program calls for students to receive help with homework from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., students in the program would be fed an evening meal and have an opportunity to socialize and participate in a group activity, followed by one hour of physical activity from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  According to Prater, statistics show 49 percent of HEMS students are raised by single parents or grandparents. Guardians who have been out of school for many years, like grandparents, may have a difficult time helping their grandchildren with homework. And, single parents may not have the time, he says.
  For that reason, Prater says, he is overwhelmingly excited about the program.
  "Parents really love it and have already been asking me if we'll have it all summer long," he says.
  For those interested, the program will operate throughout the summer directly after summer school.
  But, parents weren't the only ones interested in the program's summer status.
  Prater says many children were asking, as well.
  "They truly see this as a home away from home," he says proudly.
  Plus, the after-school homework help and additional encouragement each child receives benefits their self-esteem, he says. When kids are confident walking into the classroom each morning, Prater adds, it makes a difference.
  The only need the program is unable to provide is transportation, which Bast says was too expensive to offer.
  But, it hasn't seemed to hinder the program's attendance.
  Although Bast says she hoped for at least 100 students to attend, workers were shocked to welcome 169 students on the first day.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.

  Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten registration for the 2007-2008 school term will begin in April.
  Registration hours at all school will be during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  All children entering school for the first time must enroll in kindergarten.
  A child who is five years of age by September 30, 2007, is eligible to enroll in the kindergarten program.
  A child who is four years of age by September 30, 2007 is eligible to enroll in the pre-kindergarten program.
  All children entering the pre-kindergarten program will be required to have the chickenpox immunization. Parents must submit doctor certification that your child has received this immunization.
  School immunization requirements have been amended (1991 Senate Bill 548) to read; "...all children shall also be required to receive a second dose of measles (rubella) vaccine prior to entering kindergarten or first grade.
  Children enrolling for the first time in kindergarten must have documented proof of having received two doses of measles vaccine - usually administered in combination with mumps and documented on the immunization record as MMR.
  The Hepititis B immunization requirement is for a minimum of three doses for all children born on and after January 1, 1995 (with at least four months spacing between the first and third doses.)
  All children registering for kindergarten or pre-kindergarten must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  Parents must secure and bring with them the following items at the time of registration: the child's State Birth Certificate, (not a county birth certificate); the child's immunization (shot) records; social security number; and a physical.
  If your child has a physical, it must be dated after August 21, 2006.
  Children registering for pre-k will not need a physical until their parents have been notified they have been accepted into the program.
  All students entering the sixth grade at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school term will be required to have a Tdap booster. Submit a doctor's certification that your child has received this immunization.
  For more information, call Susan Caudill, nurse coordinator, at 276-935-4551, ext. 251.
  The registration schedule is as follows:
  • Russell Prater Elementary, April 11, 2007;
  • Hurley Elementary Middle, April 12, 2007;
  • Riverview Elementary/Middle, April 16, 2007 and April 17, 2007;
  • Twin Valley Elementary/Middle, April 18, 2007;
  • Council Elementary/Middle, April 19, 2007; and
  • J.M. Bevins Elementary, April 23, 2007.

  Needed repairs at Grundy High School were discussed Monday during a meeting of the Buchanan County School Board.
  North Grundy School Board Member Don Newberry presented a prioritized list of needed repairs for the Grundy school, some of which -- like the sewage problems, restroom facilities, auditorium -- the school system is already working on.
  Specifically, Newberry said, the sewage problem remains the number one priority to be addressed. He said raw sewage backs up into water fountains, classroom sinks and through floor drains and he noted that according to a letter provided to him by the school, when there is no seepage, the sewer gas emissions in the building, the field house and outside are sickening to students and staff.
  Additional needs detailed in the letter were as follows:
  Mobile units: the mobile units are dilapidated and need to be replaced. Classes cannot be moved into the school due to lack of space. While enrollment has dropped, the number of classes offered has risen which takes up additional classroom space.
  Restroom facilities: the restroom facilities are in need of renovation with new fixtures, stall doors, etc.
  Outside restroom facilities: the restrooms located on the football field lack heating and need to be renovated to include fixtures, plumbing and windows.
  Locker rooms: the locker rooms need to be renovated.
  Auditorium: the ceiling needs to be refinished; sound barriers need to be added; seats need to be repaired; new speakers need to be added; and carpet on the floors and walls needs to be replaced.
 Electrical outlets: the school’s electrical system needs to be updated to handle modern technological demands. Many classrooms only have one or two working outlets and in some technology labs, the current electrical system will not allow teachers to use as many devices as needed without fuses blowing.
  Football field bus driveway: The lower end drive needs to be widened and paved so that team buses may easily access the football field.
  Grundy High School sign: the school needs a marquee sign where upcoming school events may be announced.
  In other business, an update on school system spending and projected spending for capital improvement projects was presented.
  Projects listed under the first $1.5 million allocated by the board of supervisors included paving or pavement sealing at various schools; roofing at Grundy High School, Hurley Middle School, Hurley High School, J.M. Bevins Elementary, Russell Prater Elementary and Council High School; gym floor refinishing or replacement at the schools; window replacement at Hurley Middle School; construction of a press box at Hurley High School; bleachers at Council Elementary-Middle, Twin Valley Elementary-Middle and Grundy High School; furnace replacement at Hurley High and Council High; and the purchase of four activity buses.
  Listed on the second $1.5 million allocation are roofing at Council Elementary-Middle School; lighting and ceiling repair at the Buchanan County Technology and Career Center; exterior doors and window replacement at Council High, Grundy High and Hurley High; restroom and plumbing repair at Grundy High School; a new marquee, step cover replacement, vinyl bleacher end curtains and auditorium carpet at Twin Valley Elementary-Middle; auditorium carpet and improvements to the baseball field at Twin Valley High School; and replacement vehicles, a snow plow part, a computer and diagnostic repair computer software for the bus garage.
  Knox Chairman Clarence Brown noted the building committee would meet with the architect Wednesday to discuss planned upgrades to restroom facilities included in the capital projects list.
  In other building-related discussion, Superintendent Tommy P. Justus noted that Terra Tech Engineering has drafted specifications for the J.M. Bevins Elementary replacement retaining wall and has gotten the necessary approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be in the stream for repairs to be made.
  Administrative Assistant Joyce Presley noted that bid packages are out with a pre-bid conference set today (Thursday). Bids are due back April 19.