Sean C. Morgan
Organizations throughout the community met last week to discuss plans they have developed for activities to keep local youngsters busy on the fifth day of the week.
They have been planning since the District 55 School Board adopted a four-day school week, beginning this school year.
About 18 people attended a meeting on Aug. 27 to report and coordinate what they’re doing.
“The overall feeling was that this meeting bridged a lot of groups together, and many more ideas are out there,” said Andrew Allen, a track and cross country coach and Chamber of Commerce board member.
The purpose of the meeting was to determine who was planning what services and activities and to see what other ideas or opportunities might be out there, said City Manager Craig Martin.
“There were quite a few opportunities identified. People were encouraged by the energy and the interest. Fifth Day provides a pretty significant opportunity to do some good things with the youth and our community.”
Attending the meeting were representatives of the city of Sweet Home, Chamber of Commerce, the Sweet Home Economic Development Group, the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort, Sweet Home Police Department, District 55, the Boys and Girls Club, Sweet Home High School, the swimming pool and U.S. Forest Service Sweet Home Ranger District.
Other people expressed interest but were unable to attend the meeting, Martin said.
What will likely come out of this process is a sort of “Day Five” bulletin board, a centralized information source, for people offering fifth-day services and activities or seeking help or items.
The School District offered to make the information network available through its website, Martin said.
The Boys and Girls Club and Little Promises are the furthest along, with activities ready to go, Martin said. Most other groups are still in the planning stages. Some were waiting to find out more about what others are doing to avoid duplicating efforts and to find opportunities to partner with other organizations.
The Boys and Girls Club and Little Promises are focused on theme-based educational and tutoring programs, $5 per day at the club and $10 at Little Promises, Allen said. The Boys and Girls Club has more tutoring programs, while Little Promises will focus on topics such as the Oregon Trail, outdoor survival and archery.
Allen is planning morning doughnut-bagel meetings with some of his athletes to look at what youths want to do with their free time, including creating events like art and music shows, competitions and tournaments, and being a part of community events, like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
His goal is to give the more proactive youths a base to expand on their abilities and interest their friends to create things to do, Allen said.
The swimming pool has increased recreational and lap swims, while the library will host a movie night on Thursdays, free with popcorn.
The Forest Service is looking into mentoring and internship programs to get children involved with the outdoors. It would include lessons and work. The Forest Service has an existing model in the North Santiam Canyon.
The Sweet Home Police Department is hoping to expand its Citizen’s Academy program and open it up to junior high and high school students, with the first group enrolling this fall.
The Chamber of Commerce, SHEDG and SHARE are interested in introducing micro-enterprise elements to junior and high school students and developing programs involving them with businesses, which will help them meet volunteer and work experience requirements.
“As bad as the four-day school week initially sounded, we as a community need to look at this as a huge opportunity,” Allen said. “Students can receive an education beyond the classroom, get involved in the molding of our community’s future and possible career opportunities through their creativity and ingenuity.
“We do both ourselves and our kids a great deal of benefit by looking at how we can take advantage of this moment rather than dwell on the negative. The only ones that will miss out are those who don’t become engaged themselves. From what was shown at this meeting, there will be no shortage of possible ways to be active and involved.”
Another meeting will be set for October or November to update everyone on progress and suggestions and to develop more forward momentum.