YouthQuest Highlights: October 2019

Keeping the Lights On Afterschool

As part of the 20^th Annual Lights On Afterschool, YouthQuest hosted 12 community events aiming to showcase the impact that afterschool programs have on students, families and their communities. For example, Potter Elementary hosted a Halloween-themed event that had a turnout of 320 students and family members. Staff from YouthQuest and the Flint Community Education Initiative coordinated activities such as storytelling, a haunted hallway, make-n-take stations, “Minute to Win It” games, a photo booth and a costume contest. The event was a fun and safe way to build a stronger community at Potter Elementary.

Nutrition for Kids

At International Academy of Flint, elementary students learned about the importance of good nutrition and what they can do to ensure they’re eating right. Topics included why breakfast is the most important meal of the day and why students should incorporate fruit in their breakfast each morning. They also learned about simple substitutions that can help improve their diet, such as eating whole wheat bread, pasta or crackers instead of those made with white flour.

Puppets at Play

Students who participate in the Readers Theatre Club and Puppets Club at Neithercut Elementary have been working together on a puppet show adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s, “Where the Wild Things Are.” Students are making costumes, working with puppets, learning lines and preparing to perform at a family night in December. The enrichment experience has promoted a variety of important soft skills, including creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. It also provides academic support in the area of English language arts.

On the Debate Team

All YouthQuest sites offer at least 30 minutes of homework help and other academic support —but the embedded learning doesn’t stop there. To extend learning throughout the day, the YouthQuest site at International Academy of Flint offers Debate Club for its high school students. Club participants face off during debates on topics related to day school and current affairs. For instance, “Should students have locks on their lockers?”

YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

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