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St. Louis Public Schools Make Community Investment Through ASAP

St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) Coordinator of After School Programs Judith King visits with a student at Henry Elementary during after school. SLPS funds the After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP) with $100,000 annually because it believes in the many positives after school programming brings to area students.

The importance of after school programming to St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) is highly evident.

"ARCHS commitment to SLPS students and their families remains unsurpassed," said SLPS Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams. "Now in its fourth year, ASAP's after school programs have proven to be a vital component in the district's efforts to provide high-quality after school programs designed to improve academic achievement."

SLPS’ commitment to after school programming is also evident through its commitment to the After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP). SLPS provides ASAP with $100,000 in annual funding, bus transportation services, staff support and free use of classroom and recreational space in its schools.

“St. Louis Public Schools values after school programs because the district values the education of our students,” said Judith King, Coordinator of After School Programs for SLPS. “After school programs give students the opportunity to enrich and extend the academic program of their regular school day.”

SLPS Executive Director of Community Education John Windom said the district understands the community involvement that ASAP brings, and by having such high standards it brings a coordinated system of quality programming when coupled with ongoing monitoring.

“St. Louis Public Schools recognizes that it does not possess all the knowledge that exists related to after school programs,” Windom said. “The district views its relationships with ASAP as an opportunity to formally work with other youth-serving organizations in an effort to provide the best, high quality, well supervised and closely monitored after school programs the community has to offer.”

ASAP is a community effort to increase access to quality after school services in the Greater St. Louis area. ASAP services not only support students with homework help and transfer learning through hands-on activities. They also support parents needing more family stability, after school professionals learning from each other and from outside experts, public and private funders pooling their resources and the region investing in its future and future leaders.

Since 2007, ASAP and its partners have added 2,560 new additional “after school slots” to the City of St. Louis.  ARCHS serves as ASAP’s strategic contract management and fiscal agent and St. Louis for Kids provides additional professional development expertise.

ASAP Turns the Switch for Lights On After School

ASAP students at Peabody Elementary carve a pumpkin during their Fall Festival as part of Lights On After School.The After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP) was proud to be one of 6,000 communities across the nation taking part in Lights On After School. The 11th annual Lights On After School was held October 21 and featured more than 1 million Americans rallying for after school programs.

Dozens of ASAP programs participated in Lights On After School and host Fall Festivals, Pajama Jams, Hip Hop Sock Hops, Sports Nights, Academic Olympics, After School Cook Off and more!

ASAP and its partners have added more than 2,600 new additional "after school slots" to the City of St. Louis. ASAP is working toward a goal of adding more than 5,600 new slots to assure that at least 22 percent of city-based students have access to after school services (the national average).

Check out the photo gallery page (click picture) to see more "Light's On" pictures from ASAP elementary schools Sherman, Peabody, Mason, Lexington, Jefferson and Stevens Middle School (21st Century)!

A United Way for St. Louis

ASAP FUNDER SPOTLIGHT: United Way of Greater St. Louis' theme of "Helping People" is an understatement when looking at the impact the organization has on the region.

United Way brings the area together to help raise funding to support health and human services for 16 counties, which includes annual support for its member agencies that provide quality services to everyone from the elderly to children. With the community's support, over $67 million was raised in 2009 to support services and initiatives throughout Missouri and Illinois.

To achieve this, United Way has worked closely with ARCHS and other area organizations over the years to collaborate on important regional issues.

A Civic Investment in St. Louis' Education

ASAP FUNDER SPOTLIGHT: Civic Progress is a quiet presence in St. Louis. But its actions have been making big statements, and delivering big results, since 1953.

Civic Progress has been a top influential organization in the St. Louis area for decades, and has a strong commitment to improve the region through projects related to infrastructure, healthcare, safety and other big ticket items. However, Civic Progress understands that supporting education lays an important foundation for the entire community.

To enhance education for the St. Louis region, Civic Progress has provided $200,000 in funding for the After School for All Partnership for St. Louis (ASAP) during the past four years to help increase access to after school services that benefit youth, families and the community.