Enrichment programs off er unique opportunities
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Westborough - At the end of a busy school day, there are some kids who want nothing more than to get outside and play with their friends. Others need a snack and a half hour of TV to unwind.

And then there are those who run straight to their greenhouses to see how life is developing on another planet.

"Destination Mars" is a program that has kids building moon rovers, planting in special space soil, and learning all about the habitats and geography of our neighboring planet.

Combined with "Wright Flight," which teaches the kids about the science of flight, the program is just one of dozens of enrichment programs offered by the Westborough Community Education Department.

"I like science and I think space is really cool with how the planets go around the sun and how much space can tell us," second-grader Matthew Spoff ord said. "I like it because

want to be a scientist." Enrichment program oppor- tunities range from academic classes like "Geometric Designs in our World" and "Fur, Fangs and Feathers: Predators of New England" to athletic opportunities like yoga, archery, cheerleading or hiphop, to unusual options like "CSI Westborough" and "The Science of Superheroes."

(l to r) Henry Siegal, Matthew Spofford, instructor Stephanie Nelson, Tommy Riela and Jack Choate make helicopters during "Destination Mars/Wright Flight" April 14. PHOTO/MELISSA MUNTZ

Community Education Assistant Director Maryellen Feeny said the enrichment program is designed with every student in the district in mind.

"I think all kids are diff erent, and the needs of the children are diff erent," she said. "Some kids have had enough academics during the day and they'd be overloaded, so they may be more interested in an open gym or an archery program, while others are interested in math classes or science classes."

Although each program appears to fit into either the academic or entertainment category, Feeny said there's a lot of crossover between the two to make sure every child can learn while having fun, and can have fun while learning.

"Take 'Global Art Trek' for example. It's an art class but they travel around the world so they learn about geography through art," she said. "Or in the 'Wicked Cool Girls Club,' they learn all about making their own beauty products but are also learning about chemistry and every week they learn about a new female scientist."

The enrichment programs also off er students a sense of community they may not feel with peers that don't share their interests.

"Because it's a smaller group of children that all have a similar interest, it's a great venue to explore a subject that others may think is strange in a safe and comfortable setting," she said.

In its second year with the extended catalog, Feeny said, the program is constantly being modified to meet the needs and interests of parents and students.

Stephanie Nelson is the program instructor for "Destination Mars/Wright Flight." She travels to three schools in the district and said she is constantly modifying her program to meet the needs and interests of her students.

"I can gauge by what one group of kids responds to and I can tweak it when I go to the next class because sometimes there is something that I think is really interesting that they may not care about at all," Nelson said.

Dozens of instructors and office staff implement the enrichment program. Feeny said the hard work of everyone involved has helped to give Westborough students something many other kids may not have access to.

"We really have worked hard to create a truly enriching program for kids after school and in the summer that off ers kids things that we think they may be interested in and that they may not have access to, instead of just going home and turning on the TV or a video game," she said.