Title: Palm Beach County Commissioners & Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department

Description:

The Department of Safe Schools Middle School After-School Program is most appreciative of its partnership with Palm Beach County Commissioners and Parks and Recreation Department.  For the past twelve years the Commissioners have provided financial support to each middle school after-school program in the school district.  In turn, the Parks and Recreation Department has developed quality, creative and high interest recreational modules for middle school students.  This unique partnership has afforded our after-school programs and students with such varied recreational opportunities as computer building, animation, digital  arts and video game design, drumming, fencing, karate, pottery, various types of dance, forensic science, etiquette, tennis, the Brain Game, flag football and Robotics to name a few. The goal in offering these varied recreation opportunities is to afford youth the opportunity to participate in recreation leisure enrichment activities that may lead to life long leisure pursuits. These and other activities would not be available without the financial support of the Commissioners and the technical support of the Parks and Recreation staff. 

Many students would not be as eager to participate in our after-school programs without such engaging and diverse activities; this would lead to many students being left unattended in the afternoon without a safe place to go. According to a 2007 report by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL 2007), "youth who participate in after-school programs improve significantly in three major areas: feelings and attitudes, indicators of behavioral adjustment, and school performance."

We are mindful that this unique partnership does not exist in many other cities throughout the country. Therefore, we would like to formally recognize and acknowledge this outstanding contribution and support for the middle school after school programs by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation
Department staff.

Financial Impact:
None

For Additional Information, contact:

Ann Killets
akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us
Nat Harrington

Vickie Middlebrooks