RTH After School Program

Program Overview

The mission of RTH’s After School Program (ASP) is to strengthen the academic achievement, social skills, and leadership development among school age children from our diverse community. The ASP provides homework assistance and a variety of enrichment activities in an atmosphere where respect, teamwork and a sense of community are valued.  Activities aim to build on school-day learning by fostering each child’s critical thinking, literacy and math skills.

Enrollment Eligibility: The ASP is open to children ages 5 through 12.  Enrollment for the school year is done on a first-come, first-serve basis each year in August, with priority given to RTH residents. We have capacity to serve up to 37 students.

Hours: The ASP operates from 2pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday, during the academic school year. During BPS school vacations, such as winter and spring break, the ASP program operates full day programming from 8:30am-6pm. For a calendar of full day programming and other important after school dates, please click here.

Location: The ASP program is located in the Parks Community Building inside Mission Park.

Meals: The ASP offers a nutritious snack to children upon arrival, and an evening supper at 5:15pm daily. During school breaks, the program serves breakfast, lunch, and a late afternoon snack.

Tuition: RTH subsidizes the cost of tuition to make the ASP affordable and accessible for families in our community. The cost is $40 a month for the first child from a household enrolled, $20 a month for a sibling or second household member enrolled, and $10 a month for a third additional sibling or household member enrolled. Child care vouchers are accepted.  If space is available, we do accept non-resident applicants (separate tuition scale).

Staff and Volunteers: The ASP’s team of four dedicated staff design and lead all program activities under the guidance and supervision of the Program Director. In addition, our program receives invaluable support from college work-study students and dedicated volunteers. If you would like more information about volunteering or using work-study at the ASP, please contact Jessica Woodward, Program Director at 617-232-0400 or jwoodward@roxburytenants.org.

Program Activities

Our staff facilitates a variety of exciting and ever changing enrichment for children. Below are some of our program highlights:

Homework Help: All ASP students participate in a daily homework hour where they may complete their homework and receive help from staff and tutors. Students who do not have homework or finish early may read in the ASP read, complete extra activity worksheets, or place educational board games.

Computer Classes: Students participate in computer classes once a week at the Betty Powers Library, where they become familiar with the computer, practice word processing, work on theme based projects and play educational games.

Arts Enrichment: The ASP offers students many opportunities to explore both the visual and musical arts. Past projects have ranged from collage, drawing, and clay sculpture to music programs such as tribal drumming.

Sports and Recreation: The ASP program encourages all students to participate in physical activities during organized games and free time recesses. Activities emphasize teamwork, good sportsmanship, and respect.

Cooking: Children use the after school program kitchen to learn how some of their favorite snacks and meals are made, while simultaneously learning important information about nutrition, math and science.

Community Partners & Guest Programs

Franklin Park Zoo School: This interactive weekly program with Franklin Park Zoo teaches students exciting facts about different animals and their habitats. Zoo staff brings animals to the program each week for hands-on learning.

Harvard After School Initiative: The RTH After School Program has been part of the Harvard After School Initiative Program (HASI) since 2004. HASI has been an instrumental asset to the program by improving academic development for children and increasing professional development through workshops and trainings for the staff.

 The following enrichment grants and initiatives were funded by HASI:

Ø      Educational Coordinator position (2004-06)

Ø      Tribal Rhythms (2005-06)

Ø      HASI Coaching Initiative (2006-07)

Ø      Design It! (2006-07)

Ø      Paper Pick Press (2007-08)

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Jessica Woodward, After School and Summer Enrichment Program Director, at jwoodward@roxburytenants.org or (617) 232-0400.