McKinley School's Enrichment Program Unites Generations

MORE After School starts its second session of innovative programming at . 

The courses offered to the school’s students in grades 1-5 include Creative Yoga, Write Times, Investigating Artifacts, and Night, Light, and Everything in Between. 

The program was founded by three Westfield mothers, Devorah Wolf, Melissa Colten, and Alexandra Okun, who wanted to present classes that would be very different from traditional after-school offerings. The programs are meant to ignite the children's passion for learning and create a supportive environment for critical thinking. 

Instructors are aided by multi-generational mentors in the form of local senior citizens who wish to volunteer with the children. This multi-generational concept is unique to after-school programming. 

“Children are spending less and less time with anyone who is older than their teachers and peers," explained Wolf. "MORE encourages mutual respect and understanding between generations and the community at large.”

One of the multi-generational mentors, Joan Daley, assists a group of eight first and second graders with “Write Times,” MORE’s creative writing program. 

After the first class, Daley said, “I couldn’t believe the children had such fine
writing skills. Their ideas were so imaginative and creative and they were a delight to work with.”

The concept of service learning is integrated into every session of MORE so that students acquire the tools to be responsible members of the community. Students are also encouraged to share their talents and be civic minded. A class of students may learn to perform bicycle safety checks, share their relaxation skills from yoga with someone they care about, or write songs for a local performance.

While MORE is premiering at McKinley School, the program will be offered throughout the Westfield Public School district in the future.  

Classes are held once weekly from 3:15 to 4:15 for five weeks at a cost of $50.00 per session. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, MORE accepts donations from the public and applies for grants to support the program and provide reasonably priced, distinctive classes. 

Spring classes are now being developed. Community collaboration is an important component to the founders. They will be working with on a music class and also with Teatro Si to develop a Latin American dance and rhythm course for primary school.

MORE is also planning an “Expo” for the community at the end of the school year. For more information about MORE After School visit the website.