Victorious Scholars after School Program (VSAP)
The Victorious Scholars after school program’s mission is to provide a safe, nurturing place of supervision for elementary age children where there are opportunities to reinforce learning from school, teach social skills and encourage good citizenship.
VSAP Mission & Philosophy: VSAP seeks to provide a high quality, after school program that is based on the S.A.F.E. evidence based model. VSAP will operate in a culturally relevant and stimulating learning environment based on strong positive interaction and engagement among staff, students and parents. VSAP also focuses on teaching social, physical and education engagement among staff, students and parents. Research suggests that the quality of staff interaction with students and parents is a major determinant of after-school program success (Granger, 2010).
Finally, VSAP centers on operating within a culturally relevant and inspirational learning environment. Research suggests that an important determinant of the effectiveness of after school programs for African American youth, are those programs that provide a positive , uplifting environment by emphasizing the greater appreciation of their African-American cultural heritage (Hanlon, et al., 2009). This is consistent with the effectiveness of culturally relevant training programs such as the California Brief Multicultural Competency Scale (CBMCS) Training program.
In sum, VSAP philosophy will center around the SAFE model and also encourage high levels of staff interactions with students and parents in a culturally relevant and inspirational learning environment.
VSAP Specific Foci: In the context of the VSAP philosophy highlighted above, this after – school program will focus on improving the following four areas:
Improving Reading literacy,
Improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Literacy skills
Improving Relationships among family & friends
Improving Recreation to promote better physical health
VSAP focus on these four areas of emphasis to help prepare our children to become successful academically and as citizens making a meaningful contribution and impact in our Buena Vista community. In particular, the Reading and Stem emphasis will provide our youth with the important girding for improving their intellectual proficiency and thus better enable them to succeed in school and in college. In addition, the focus on positive family relationships will enhance their positive self-esteem, emotional health with the emphasis on recreation will enhance their physical and mental health.
The SAFE model highlights four important factors that lead to positive social behaviors, better school grades, higher levels of academic achievement and reduction in problem behaviors of students attending after school programs (Durlak, Weissberg & Pachan, 2010). These four “SAFE” factors are defined as following:
S - Sequential, step-by-step training approach for staff
A -Active, experiential and interactive forms of mental, physical and social learning
F - Focus on specific time and attention on skill development
E - Explicit in clearly defining the specific learning skills being enhanced
Research has shown that after school programs that emphasize these four SAFE factors see significant improvements in student’s self-perceptions and positive social behaviors. These four SAFE factors are also associated with significant reductions in conduct problems and drug use and significant increases in achievement test scores, grades and school attendance.
The purpose of the Freedom school is to enhance students’ motivation to read, instill cultural pride, connect families with resources and training amongst many other education enrichments.
Students engage in reading and enrichment activities which include:
· The Art of Dance
· The Art of Musical Instruments
· The Art of Voice
· The Art of Painting
· The Art of Technology
· The Art of Crafts
This program is designed to guide boys from ages
8-17 in the process of becoming strong, young men. The group sponsors workshops, events, and activities to train boys in the skills and knowledge of being a Christian man and male responsibility.
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