August 10, 2016
By the time YouthQuest kicks off afterschool programming for most of its sites on Sept. 12, the program will already be three weeks underway at Freeman Elementary. The differing schedule is in response to the day school’s new balanced schedule – part of a pilot program through Flint Community Schools.
As part of the balanced calendar, Freeman will shorten its summer vacation in favor of implementing several short breaks, also referred to as intercessions, throughout the year. In total, they will attend school for the standard 180 days each year.
YouthQuest, which provides afterschool programming at 14 local schools including Freeman, will also offer enrichment programming during intercession. During the breaks, students can elect to visit Freeman, where the school district, YouthQuest and Crim Community Education Initiative will partner to provide engaging programming from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Rather than stay home during their breaks, students will have the option to take advantage of engaging activities, nutritious meals and time with friends and mentors throughout the week,” said Rhetta Hunyady, Vice President of Education & Training at Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, which administers YouthQuest. “We’re excited to see how the pilot goes and believe it will help in reducing summer learning loss.”
YouthQuest’s program at Freeman will officially begin Aug. 22, with registration held Aug. 15-18.
Programming at the other sites – including Brownell-Holmes STEM Academy, Doyle-Ryder, Durant Tuuri-Mott, Dye, Eisenhower, Freeman, Neithercut, Pierce, Potter and Randels elementary schools; the International Academy of Flint; Northwestern High School and Southwestern Classical Academy – will begin Sept. 12, with registration held Aug. 22-Sept. 7.
To register your student for YouthQuest, visit www.flintandgenesee.org/learn/youthquest/enroll-child.
To register your student for one of Flint Community Schools’ day schools, check out the district’s Back to School Enrollment Fair Aug. 25. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Administration Building, at 923 E. Kearsley St., Flint.