When an outreach program such as this was first suggested, very high levels of interest in this ministry opportunity developed.  A committee consisting of two parents, a deacon, two lawyers, four elementary school teachers and a couple of other interested individuals was formed.  The committee began by distributing questionnaires to see how many families in our community were interested in the program.  The committee also interviewed with a woman doing a similar project for underprivileged children in Paducah, Kentucky.  The two lawyers on the committee researched the laws and regulations that would apply to such a program.  The research showed that, under Kentucky laws, the students could be kept under respite care for a maximum of two hours per day or ten hours per week.  Also, in order to avoid several other specifications, the program had to be non-profit. 

The committee nominated a director and an assistant director to begin the ministry.  Our program began in April 1998, with twenty students in kindergarten through the fifth grade and operated Monday through Thursday. 

During the following summer, it was decided that our program needed to operate Monday through Friday, that we would take thirty students in the fall, and that we would take only first through fifth grade students in the fall.  After the first complete school year, it was decided that we would take up to forty students the following fall semester and that we would divide them into three groups. (See enclosed Daily Schedule for a Large Group.)  Therefore, we added a teen staff member to run the third activity station. 

1) Qualified Staff
In order to begin any type of program you must have qualified people who are willing to work.  We have discovered that people, who work well with children, have good classroom management skills, an education background, and motivation do very well with this program.

Our Staff:
Rebecca Welch- Director
Qualifications- ninety-eight college hours in education, 100+ hours of elementary substitute teaching, interest in the program, good organizational skills
Responsibilities- enrollment, growth, parent meetings, activity station manager, rule enforcement, supplies inventory, welfare and safety of the children, finances and reporting to the outreach deacon and the elders

Haley Chambers- Assistant Director
Qualifications- college hours in both education and business, 100+ hours of elementary substitute teaching, 8 years as a gymnastics instructor, interest in the program, good business and computer skills
Responsibilities- medical and information forms, parent and volunteer letters, activity station manager, rule enforcement, welfare and safety of the children, voluntary American Red Cross certification in CPR and First Aid, “right-hand man” 

Jan Eads- Teen Assistant
Qualifications- very responsible high school senior, excellent with children, interest in the program
Responsibilities- activity station manager and present in case of an emergency situation 

Mary Lou LeVan- Homework Director
Qualifications- retired elementary school teacher
Responsibilities- help students get their homework in the time provided, give extra help when needed

Volunteers-
Qualifications- a willing heart, a smiling face, a serving attitude
Responsibilities- helps with homework or provides and serves our daily snack

Salaries for each person differ and are basically the only expense of the program after the first year. 

Director- year round salary of $100 per week
Assistant Director- school year salary of $100 per week
Teen Assistant- school year salary of $35 per week
Homework Helper and Volunteers- FREE!

2) Demanded Supplies
Supplies depend on the space with which your congregation has to work.  The first two years we did not have an activity building for recreational games, yet we did have access to the school’s playground.  This year, we have an activity building, a parking lot, and are currently acquiring a playground.  (Do not let the lack of any of these larger facilities stop you.  This program can make it in any church building.)  An example supply list is enclosed in this packet.  To get started, we put the list of supplies on strips of paper and asked willing members of the congregation donate at least one, perhaps more, of each item.  After the first year, a limited number of supplies will be needed and may be obtained through an annual special contribution.

3) Daily Schedule
A daily schedule has been enclosed for both a small group and a large group.  Some activities may depend on weather or other circumstances.

4) Student Participants
We discussed matters such as family income, single-parented children, and working mothers of two parent homes.  We decided that our target group would be “latch-key” kids, those children who have both parents working outside the home and would go home to an empty house after school.  This group also includes children with a single parent who works outside the home.   The program is open to children in our own congregation as well as children in the community. We felt that the more children we could provide with Christian principles and Bible knowledge, the greater impact we could have on our entire community.

Some type of stipulation concerning which children are invited to attend is very important.  Please give this prayerful consideration.  When taking into consideration women working outside the home, we have not noticed anyone taking additional employment as the result of our program. Also, we encourage families to spend as much time together as possible, whether it is at the grocery store or at home.  Therefore, once a parent gets off from work, we require that they pick up their child immediately.

The potential results of this program are outstanding!  Many benefits have been gained from having students within the church socializing with students outside the church.  When these outside children visit our worship services, they are familiar with both the grounds as well as the students.  Thus far, we have had two new additions to our family here at Benton, as a partial result of our program.  We have given out four Bibles to interested families who did not have Bibles in their homes.  Two home Bible studies have been conducted with a family of five who have started coming to our worship services as the result of the program.  Approximately forty-three children know or will know all the books of the Bible, answers to over five hundred questions about various stories in the Bible, how to look up scriptures in the Bible and several children’s songs.  This program has a visitation committee who go to the homes of the children, inquire about their feelings about the program, invite them to church, and personally answer any questions about our beliefs. 

Our future plans include adding twenty students from another school within our zone by the spring semester 2000.  We are also hoping to add a one-day a week middle school program to keep their interest alive even after they graduate from the AfterSchool Program. For some of these children, we may be the only consistent caring people in their young lives, and we hope to be a tremendous influence on them and their families for many years to come. 

Because of our move to the new building, your child/children will be bussed to the AfterSchool Program. On the first day of school, please notify your child's teacher of the days that your child will be attending ASP. Also, you should list your child's bus drop-off location as the Benton church of Christ. 

By law, we can care for your child as a free service for a maximum of two (2) hours per day. Therefore, you should make arrangements to have your child picked up at the building no later than 5:15PM. 

The children will be divided into three (3) separate groups this year. Each group will have its own unique name. Please know your child's group name so that someone can direct you to your child if we are still in center time. 

You may pick up your child through the back entrance of the building. Please remember to sign out each day. DO NOT allow your child to sign out for you. 

Your child will be expected to work on their homework while at ASP. We have a wonderful staff of retired teachers who will be assisting your child on a daily basis. We care about your children and their grades! 

The AfterSchool Program is designed for the children of working parents, either both parents work or the child's single parent works. Therefore, please pick up your child promptly after you are finished at work for the day, and please do not send your child to ASP if you are off. We encourage parents to spend as much quality time with their children as possible! 

If your schedule changes from the days that your child is enrolled in ASP, please notify Rebecca Welch (527-1519), Haley Chambers (527-8395), or the church office (527-3585). 

If your child is sick, please notify us that your child will be absent from ASP that day.  Remember --- it is easier for you to make a phone call than for us to search frantically for your "missing" child. 

Also, if you have a family emergency and need ASP to care for your child on an afternoon that he/she is not enrolled, please do not hesitate to call us. We are here to help you! 

Your child will be allowed to bring a friend to ASP on FRIDAYS. However, we ask that you notify us by TUESDAY, so that we can be prepared for an extra child. 

We will be having special days throughout the school year. Please be looking for notes on the dry-erase board above the sign out sheet. 

Remember, if Marshall County schools are not in session for any reason, ASP will not be in session. 
Thanks for being a part of the AfterSchool Program 1999-2000!
Questions? Call Rebecca Welch or Haley Chambers

1. Always listen to your leaders

2. Use a sportsmanship attitude inside and outside.

3. Use an inside voice when inside.

4. Do not take anything that is not yours.

5. Always tell the truth.

6. Do not use bad language.  (Cussing, swearing, name calling)

7. No hitting, shoving, or pushing.

8. Treat leaders and other children as you want to be treated.
 

If you break a rule:

First offense:  Director will go over the rules.

Second offense:  Director will ask you to sit out the next activity.

Third offense:  Director will send a note home.

Fourth offense:  Director will call parent to come pick up the child immediately and will talk to the parent.

Fifth offense:  Director will require the child to stay home for one day.

Sixth offense:  Let’s hope not!

10 minutes   Go to the restroom and wash hands

20 minutes   Bible Story           Books of the Bible
                   Questions             Memory Verses
                   Sword Drills         Songs
                   Prayer requests    Prayer

15 – 20 minutes  Snack time

30 – 45 minutes  Homework
Those children who do not have homework do a planned activity or play board games.

Remaining time  Play time

Separate the group into three smaller groups of 10 – 20 children each.  Rotate the three groups among three activity stations.  Remain in each station for 30 minutes.

Station 1   Bible Story

Station 2  Homework

Station 3  Snack
 

In Station 1, we tell the Bible story using the My First Study Bible.  We ask questions about the story and the kids get candy for answering correctly.  We do Sword Drills where the children hold the Bible by the spine above their heads.  When a Bible book (story, verse) is called, they race to find the scripture as fast as they can.  We also learn a few books of the Bible, a new song, and a new memory verse each week.

In Station 2, the children do their homework and are helped by our retired teacher volunteer and other volunteers.  If they do not finish their homework within the 30 minutes, they may or may not choose to go back and finish it during playtime.  If some of the children do not have homework, they color, draw, read, or play board games.

In Station 3, we begin in Prayer Circle Time where we take prayer requests daily and have a prayer.  (We choose a prayer leader for the week.)  After the prayer, the children have a bathroom break and wash their hands.  Then, a volunteer provides and serves our snack.

The station rotation will take about one and a half hours.  We allow the children to have playtime after the rotation is finished.  They play in our activities center or outside. 

For Homework
Pencils                                 Pencil Sharpener              Notebook Paper
Crayons                               Dictionaries

For Activities  (Amount will depend on the number of students.)
Construction paper               Crayons                             Magic Markers
Pipe cleaners                        Yarn                                  Scissors
Rulers                                   Play-Doh                           Paper lunch sacks
Paint                                     Paint brushes                     Wax paper
Legos                                   Butcher paper                    Stencils
Glue                                     Rubber cement                   Coloring sheets/books
Christian videos                    Bulletin boards                    Dry-erase board
Activity books                      Bulletin board books           Veggie Tales videos

For Gym or Outside
Jump ropes                           Frisbees                              Kickballs
Soccer balls                          Basketballs                          Target cones
Wiffle ball set                        Foam balls                           Ping-Pong balls
Volleyball net                        Punching balloons                Balloons
CD or Tape player                Sidewalk chalk                    Tape

For the Director and Assistants
First-Aid Kit
Whistles

Board Games
Chutes & Ladders                             Jenga                               Uno                                   Candyland
Guess Who                                       Memory                           Skip-Bo 
Children's Monopoly                         Scrabble Jr.                      Hi-Ho Cherry-O 

Games 
Kings & Queens                               Man on the Moon             Crab Soccer
Soccer                                              Basketball                         Kick Ball 
Wiffle Ball                                         Volleyball                          Sit-down Volleyball
Squirrel in the Tree                            Duck, Duck, Goose           Mother May I 
Red Light, Green Light                      Red Rover, Red Rover       Worm races 
Human Alphabet                               Human Knot                       Tight-rope Ball Toss
Pictionary                                         Spoons (Pig)                       Alpha-Pass 

Activities 
Water Painting                                  Finger Painting                     Painting
Coloring                                           Drawing                               Drawing on the Dry Erase Board 
Crafts                                              Color, Cut, and Paste           Movie
Read in the Children's Library

The Benton AfterSchool Program (sponsored by the Benton Church of Christ) will accept six Kindergarten students beginning April 19. The program requires that both parents be working and that the children be picked up by 5:15 at the latest each afternoon. The program runs Monday-Friday and follows the school calendar. If you are interested in your child being a part of this program please complete the attached form and turn it in to the Benton Church of Christ office as soon as possible. Please remember that this is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited spaces are available. Applications must be received before Spring Break. If your child is accepted you will receive confirmation no later than April 14. 

Sincerely, 
Rebecca Welch 
Haley Chambers 

*This letter should be copied onto the back of the Student Information Sheet.

Child’s Name 
Birthdate 
Parents/Guardians 
Address, City, State, Zip 
Home Phone Number 
Child’s School 
Homeroom Teacher 
Days attending the AfterSchool Program 
Father’s Place of Employment 
Phone 
Mother’s Place of Employment 
Phone 
Where do we contact you in case of an emergency? 
Phone 
If you cannot be reached, please list persons authorized to pick up your child in case of emergency or illness.  This person may be required to present proof of identification.
Name 
Phone 
Name 
Phone 
Others who may pick up your child in the afternoon in non-emergency situations:
 
 

List two doctors, in order of preference, to be used in case of emergency.
1. 
2. 
If the above listed cannot be reached, do the Benton AfterSchool Program personnel have permission to seek medical attention for your child?  Yes ____  No ____
Is your child on any routine medications?  Yes ____  No ____
If so, what does he/she take and for what condition? 

Does your child have special health conditions such as ALLERGIES, DIABETES, EPILEPSY, HEART DISEASE, ASTHMA, etc., which would require special attention or restrict him/her in any way? 
Yes ____  No ____
If yes was checked, please describe in full the health problem and treatment that may be necessary. 

I give permission for my child to take Tylenol at the AfterSchool Program if given by the personnel. 
Yes ____  No ____
 

Please note, when medication is to be administered at AfterSchool, it must be sent from home with the name of the medication, directions for administration and a signature of the Physician or parent requesting it.  Children are not allowed to carry medicine at the AfterSchool Program.  It must be given to the Director.  This includes inhalers.
 

Signature ___________________________________    Date _________

1. Who was the first person God made? (Adam) 
2. What did God do on the 7th day? (Rested) 
3. What did God make on Day 1? (Light) 
4. Day 2? (Heaven) 
5. Day 3? (Earth, seas, and trees) 
6. Day 4? (Sun, moon, and stars) 
7. Day 5? (Birds and fish) 
8. Day 6? (Animals and Adam) 
9. Who was the first woman? (Eve) 
10. What tree were Adam & Eve told not to eat from? (The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.) 
11. Who tempted Eve? (a serpent, Satan) 
12. What was the consequence for eating the fruit? (They could no longer live in the Garden of Eden.) 
13. What was put in front of the garden? (an angel with a sword) 
14. Who did God tell to build an ark? (Noah) 
15. How long was the ark? (One and a half football fields) 
16. How wide? (2 football fields) 
17. How high? (5 stories) 
18. What did the dove bring when Noah sent it the first time? (Nothing) 
19. What did this mean? (That there was no dry land.) 
20. What did the dove bring the second time? (a leaf) 
21. What happened the third time Noah released the dove? (It did not return.) 
22. What was the first thing Noah did when they got off the ark? (Built an alter to worship God.) 
23. What is our reminder that God will never destroy the earth again with water? (a rainbow) 
24. What was Abram's name changed to? (Abraham) 
25. What does Abraham's name mean? ("Father of many nations") 
26. Who was Abraham's wife? (Sarai) 
27. How was her name changed? (Sarah) 
28. Where did Abraham grow up? (Haran) 
29. How old were Abraham and Sarah when God told them they would have a child? (In their 90's) 
30. What were Abraham's sons' names? (Isaac and Ishmael) 
31. What stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac? (an angel of the Lord) 
32. What were the names of Isaac's two sons? (Jacob and Esau) 
33. Who had a coat of many colors? (Joseph) 
34. What did Joseph's brothers do to him? (tore off his coat, threw him in a pit, sold him as a slave) 

A - Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
B - Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
C - Ephesians 6:1 “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
D - Psalms 34:14 “Do good, seek peace, and pursue it.”
E - Proverbs 20:11 “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”
F - John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
G – I John 4:8 “God is love.”
H - Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and mother.”
I - Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
J - John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.””
K - Psalms 34:13 “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.”
L - Mark 12:31 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
M - Psalms 100:1 “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.”
N - Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters.”
O - Psalms 118:1 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! Because His mercy endures forever.”
P - Psalms 147:1 “Praise the Lord.”
Q – I Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”
R - Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.”
S - Matthew 6:33 “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.”
T - Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
U - Ephesians 5:17 “Understand what the will of the Lord is.”
V - Romans 12:19   “... Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 
W -Psalms 56:3 “When am afraid, I will trust in You.”
X - John 3:3 “eXcept one be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Y - Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Z - Isaiah 1:27 “Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her penitents with righteousness.”

January 14, 1999
 
 

Dear Parents and Children of the AfterSchool Program:

You are invited to be our special guests Sunday, February 14, at the Benton church of Christ. We are having a "Focus on Kids" Sunday. We will have seats reserved for each of you, a dinner following classes, and a Bible Bowl for your kids to be quizzed on their AfterSchool Bible stories. We hope to make this a great Sunday for you and your children. 

Services begin at 9:30am in the auditorium. Please come if at all possible. 

Thanks again for being a part of the AfterSchool Program. 

Sincerely,
Rebecca Welch 
Haley Chambers