ISD offers a wide range of academic, arts, and athletic activities after school for elementary, middle, and high school students. The After-School Activities (ASA) Program is one of the things that students like the most about ISD, according to the recent student survey.  Parents appreciate the variety of activities and sports for their children, but also have indicated, in the annual parent satisfaction surveys, that the ASA program needs to be improved.

To better understand the parents’ concerns, Eric Rodine, Activities Director, and I facilitated a parent forum this past Tuesday.  Thirty-seven parents were in attendance and they worked in groups to answer a series of questions.

What would you keep in our ASA program?

What would you like to see changed about the current program?

What would you like to see added to the existing program?

There were excellent discussions among the parents and a number of good ideas were shared.  Below are the most common parent answers.

Keep

·      Timing (3:30 to 4:30)

·      Choice of indoor and outdoor activities

·      Elementary – keep current choices

·      All current sports for ES, MS, and HS

Change

·      Communication with parents

·      Communication between sports coaches

·      Yearly schedules – more consistency

·      Improve skills of coaches

Add

·      Music instruction

·      Baseball/softball

·      Languages other than French and English

·      ES – girls only sports teams

Mr. Rodine and I will be reflecting on the information and in August we will share what changes will be made to the ASA program.  If you were unable to attend the parent forum and would like to share your thoughts to the three questions above, send Eric an email atericr@faculty.isd.sn.