Extend-A-Care

News

	Dell Powering the Possible for Youth Learning Partner During the academic year 2012-2013, the KLRU Educational Services Department has collaborated with Extend-A-Care for Kids (EAC) to bring cutting-edge educational technology to the after-school care program at Graham Elementary School (ES) of Austin ISD. Graham and Walnut Creek were strategically selected as sites given their Title I status and proximity to the Dell campus. 20 Dell XPS13 laptops were purchased, along with 20 licenses for the MS Office, 20 child-friendly earphones, 20 carrying vinyl sleeves, and a Datamation Systems Netsafe to house and charge the equipment at Graham and Walnut Creek ES (10 of those machines at each site). The program introduces students to a vast array of PBS resources online, including PBS Kids, PBS Kids Go!, PBS Kids Island, PBS LearningMedia, and specific show sites, such as Mission:US and SciGirls. Collaboration will continue for 2013-14 as well. The Dell Foundation has graciously funded $50,000 to Extend-A-Care for Kids through its well-known "Literate Communities" grant during the school years of 2008-12. The grant was to support “The Dell Children’s Library of Extend-A-Care for Kids” and boost the First-Rate Readers program by purchasing literacy material to enhance “reading time” for over 3,900 children, and to purchase more leveled books for pre-school through 6th grade children. Extend-A-Care and the Dell Foundation chartered this new literacy curriculum in 2008, which continue to help children develop a passion for reading, and encourage them to pursue careers and studies that utilize such skills. Dell is a true resource to Extend-A-Care, and has been providing vital enrichment opportunities to our children over the years.

	Supporting Extend-A-Care's Summer Enrichment Program: The Lola Wright Foundation & Trull Foundation The Lola Wright Foundation generously granted Extend-A-Care $20,000 to provide summer enrichment services to low-income children. We are extremely grateful to the Lola Wright Foundation for keeping our services available to ALL families in our community, regardless of income level--their funding has been instrumental in ending the latchkey cycle in Austin. Thank you Lola Wright Foundation! Trull Foundation granted EAC $6,000 that will go towards supporting our low-income families in Hays CISD during the summer months. Without their help, these students may find themselves isolated, bored, and more inclined to take part in activities that do not provide meaningful learning experiences and may even jeopardize their safety. These funds will give at least 50 children the opportunity to participate in a summer program that will reduce the effects of “summer learning loss,” by engaging them in activities that help to retain knowledge and skills acquired during the regular school year.

	Providing Low-Income Children With the Benefits of Quality, Enriching Childcare Extend-A-Care is happy to announce that we have funding from a variety of foundations to help us fund countless children so they can reap the benefit of quality, licensed after-school childcare. For us to fulfill our mission, we must be able to serve families of all income levels. The substantial contributions of these foundations and businesses level the playing field for underserved children. We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated and generous community partners! Padgett Stratemann has graciously donation a computer that will be used to help EAC expand the children’s access to technology. We are honored to have the support with boosting our literacy efforts that helps to level the playing field for children of low income families. Technology is a staple in a child's world today. Together, EAC and Padgett Stratemann are ensuring that our participants have access to cutting edge technology and are exposed to the benefits it brings with enhanced educational content, creativity, developmental learning, and social skills. Thank you to Plum Creek Development Partners/Benchmark Development for their generous donation of $2,000.00 to enable more children to participate in the afterschool program at Kyle Elementary where they will forge meaningful relationships and participate in fun and engaging activities in a safe, nurturing environment.

	Encouraging Healthy Living Habits: Born To Run Fridays and The RunTex Foundation Extend-A-Care for Kids and the RunTex Foundation chartered "Born to Run Fridays." The physical fitness program provides EAC children with endurance trainings, teamwork activities, and racing sessions that encourage an active, healthy lifestyle. Children will receive ongoing trainings, and participate in the Born To Run Finisher on May 17th at their center. Parents are invited to attend this special day at 5:00 p.m. on May 17th.