HOOD RIVER — It’s mid-afternoon at Westside Elementary School. The dismissal bell rang an hour ago, yet the gym is buzzing with children’s voices. In one area a group of students have their heads together, outlining the rules of a game they just invented. In another spot some children tackle their homework, occasionally asking for help from one of the adults in the room. Other students grab their jackets and head outside to play.
It’s a typical day at the Champions after-school program.
Earlier this year, the Hood River County School District contracted with Champions to provide before- and after-school programs at Westside and May Street Elementary Schools. Champions, headquartered in Portland, is a nationwide provider of out-of-school time programs.
“We focus on providing students and their families with an extension of the school day,” said Jordan Leonard, Champions’ area manager. “Our curriculum allows students to build on the skills they learn during the school day through small and large group activities that focus on teamwork and collaboration. We also know how important it is for children to have time to relax and socialize with their friends. Our programs balance learning with plenty of time for play.”
The May Street program currently serves about 30-35 students while the Westside program has about 40-45 students. Both programs are still enrolling students for the 2023-2024 school year.
Knowing that tuition for extra-curricular programs can be a challenge for some families, Champions accepts state subsidy and works with Migrant Education to ensure families enrolled in that program receive free tuition at Champions. In addition, the Hood River Education Foundation recently established a scholarship fund for qualifying students, providing financial assistance for their Champions’ tuition.
“We know how important quality care is to families, which is why it’s so important to us to work with Migrant Education and the Education Foundation to support families who might not otherwise be able to afford tuition,” said Leonard. “We want every Hood River elementary student to have the opportunity to be part of our program.”
In addition to before- and after-school programs during the school year, Champions also offers Hood River families programs during school breaks. Families interested in learning more about Champions can find information at both May Street and Westside Elementary Schools as well as online at discoverchampions.com.
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Colleen Moran is senior public relations manager for KinderCare Learning Companies.
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