One Rochester afterschool program is working to support students’ both academic and emotional needs. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting many students' learning, teachers are finding new ways to make learning more engaging and adhere throughout the day and after school.

June Muto has always loved working with kids. Starting her career as a math teacher and an administrator, Muto has since retired. But she continues her passion from a day-time teacher towards afterschool programs.

“Child care today is very limited, especially in rural communities,” Wayne M.O.S.T. regional network lead June Muto said. “We don't have YMCA and big community centers where kids can go after school. So I think it's a vital asset that we can provide afterschool programming so that families can balance life and work.”

Many students have suffered academically during and after the pandemic, with grades reaching an all-time low according to the tests known as the “Nation’s Report Card.” Seeing grades decline, Muto knew more attention is needed towards afterschool programs now more than ever.

“The pandemic didn't help,” Muto said. “We lost staff during that time. And funding and everything else kind of came to a standstill. So we're kind of rebuilding and trying to get back to a place where we were.”

The organization Wayne M.O.S.T. hosts a free afterschool training event for teachers across multiple districts. It turns the teachers into the students for the day, as they discuss emotional learning, steam engineering practices and math skill games.

“This is my first year doing an afterschool program, so I started last year as a substitute for this district,” teacher Melisa Blankenberg said. “And then this year I said to go in full force. And I thought this would be a great way for me to get different ways to teach in a different capacity.”

Drawing in more attention towards afterschool programming, organizers and teachers maximize that opportunity to engage with students and build on what happens during the school day.

“There's a certain fatigue for kids being in school all day,” Blankenberg said. “But then after school they have a different ambition because it is not just all paper pencil activities or just sitting and listening all day and they get to be more active learners.”

While afterschool programs can supplement what schools are doing, it’s not always feasible due to funding and staffing shortages. But Muto believes, if programs like Wanye M.O.S.T. can demonstrate the benefits that follow, more support will be provided.

“These programs help a lot of underprivileged children,” Muto said. “And we just want our kids to be safe and happy and we're here to help.”