After-school enrichment program attracts Merced, Atwater students

About 1,000 students at high schools in Merced and Atwater are participating in an after-school program that helps them keep up with their academic credits, stay physically fit and explore enrichment opportunities for college classes or careers.

The Merced Union High School District’s ASSETS program is in its second year at Yosemite, Merced, Golden Valley, Atwater and Buhach Colony high schools and the first year at Merced’s El Capitan High School. The program is funded by a five-year grant that gives $1.25 million to each school, Darren Sylvia, director of student support services, said.

ASSETS stands for After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens. Most schools, except for the smaller Yosemite High School, are averaging about 160 participants a month. Students spend three hours after school and then are transported home.

Travis Blagg, after-school coordinator, said ASSETS students ordinarily would not be involved in any activities outside their classes. They would routinely go home, sit on the couch and play video games or potentially get into trouble.

“This program is designed to get students who may not fit into normal co-curricular activities,” Sylvia said. “We want them to get involved in school; they are less likely to get in trouble, and parents know they are going to be safe. We want to find a way to encourage students to stick around longer and find a niche that works.”

ASSETS covers an academic or intervention piece so students get help keeping up with graduation requirements, an enrichment component so they can pursue other academic options – college readiness or career-technical training, physical fitness and nutrition – along with a parent-education segment.

Sylvia said ASSETS collaborates with Merced Adult School, Merced College, Save Our Youth and the Center for Hope. Through the California Teaching Fellows program at California State University, Fresno, UC Merced students tutor and mentor high school students in the after-school program.

The program may be expanded to Livingston High School next year, Sylvia said.

At Atwater High, ASSETS students are involved in a robotics club. At Buhach Colony High, they participate in weight training and the Success Club, with visits to Merced College and UC Merced in the works.

El Capitan High drama students hope to attend a Broadway musical and are exploring summer opportunities as part of the ASSETS program. Golden Valley High students are preparing for the high school exit exam and Merced High ASSETS participants are exploring summer options.

At Yosemite High, an automotive mechanics club is being established, and students are learning skills in engineering as well as mechanics. The parent-education component covers English as a second language, GED preparation and basic computer classes.

Sylvia said additions being developed for the spring semester include career exploration, financial literacy, personal safety, family wellness and preparing nutritional meals.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 8:05 PM with the headline "After-school enrichment program attracts Merced, Atwater students."