Thursday, September 23, 2010

Victoria Students Dare to S.O.A.R.

The Victoria Staff knows that it is important for students to participate in structured activities outside of the regular school day. Therefore, this year we have created our own after school program for our students, titled S.O.A.R. (Structured Opportunities for Academics and Recreation)

Not only does our SOAR Program provide structured activities, but it also helps to foster a stronger connection between students and the school. SOAR is currently offered 3 days a week (Monday – Wednesday) until 4:00 pm. Busing is available to students who qualify. Students apply for or are invited to attend any or all days.

Mondays and Wednesdays are devoted to Academics”. Tuesdays are the Recreation days. With enough student interest and volunteers to help us, we would like to extend our program to 4 days a week (adding Fridays).

We’ve divided the school year into five 6-week sessions. Session 1 began on September 20th and end on October 27th. Victoria staff and community volunteers have joined together to offer the following opportunities during this session: English Language Arts Intervention, Math Intervention, Science Club, Creative Writing – Poetry, Book Club (reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini), Cub Scouts, Kids’ Quilting Club (will make quilts and donate them to local hospitals), Green Team (gardening and recycling), Eagles’ Glee Club (choir), and Victoria Road Runners (physical exercise/conditioning for the upcoming Mission Inn 5K). We have almost 150 students participating in one or more activity!

Our next SOAR session will begin November 1 and will go for another 6 weeks, ending on December 16th.

We are looking for enthusiastic people to contribute to our SOAR Program. Do you have an interest or hobby that you’d like to share with Victoria’s students? Do you know of any parents, friends, family, or community members that would be interested in helping us (time, talent, or materials)?

If you said yes to any of the above questions, please contact me via email lanelson@rusd.k12.ca.us or by phone 951-788-7441.

(Please note: All volunteers must get TB and fingerprint clearance.)