Ramsey kids stay after school by choice

At a handful of Coeur d’Alene schools, some children are choosing to stay behind for about an hour once or twice a week.

What’s the draw? Enrichment classes organized by parent groups.

Ramsey Elementary is the latest school to offer this program, joining other schools like Skyway, Dalton, Hayden Meadows and Sorensen.

In one classroom, artsy Ramsey students were painting and drawing on silk scarves.

Next door in a safety and first aid class, other students were being taught that if they need help, to look for someone in a uniform or a mother with a kid – moms often know what to do in emergencies.

Farther down the hall, a handful of girls sat in a class about personal presentation, learning the proper way to introduce people.

In another class, girls were learning the right way to fan kick while dancing to jazz music.

“This is something we should be doing,” said parent Marty McCormick, who sees these offerings as a combination of academics and fun, and things that teachers don’t have time to do during the day.

At Ramsey, the four-week sessions cost $12 to cover instructors’ pay, snacks and supplies.

More than 100 students signed up for the classes. McCormick and her fellow parents hope that students will walk away with an enhanced educational experience.

Lakeside sixth-graders hold food drive

Three sixth-graders from Lakeside Middle School were so affected by a geography lesson on famine in Africa that they have organized a food drive.

Though the collected items won’t go to people on that continent, Holly Stockdale, Breanna Foster and Justin Hoffman were inspired to help feed the hungry in their own community.

Donations will be accepted through Tuesday at the Homestead Drive-In in Worley, Benewah Market in Plummer and Lakeside Middle School. Proceeds will be donated to the Benewah and Kootenai food banks.

Musical theater, improv lessons offered

Budding actors might be interested in the six-week program organized by the Lake City Playhouse.

Brook Bassett, dance and theater arts instructor, will be teaching classes for children on musical theater and improvisation, starting April 3.

The classes will take place at the Harding Family Center for $5 per hour (musical theater is one hour per week; improvisation is two hours per week).

For more information, call 667-1323.

Search for college scholarships online

College-bound students and their parents can search for scholarships online using the state’s free service, Career Information Systems.

CIS is available at most high schools, colleges, and Idaho Commerce and Labor and Vocational Rehabilitation offices. It provides a comprehensive list of available scholarships and other financial aid information, and can match students with scholarships based on grades, interests and financial need.

“I encourage parents and students to use caution if they are contacted by someone other than a school official to attend a seminar or are in any way pressured into paying for scholarship or financial aid information,” state Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said in a statement.

For more information, visit your local high school or college, go to www.idahocis.org, or call (208) 334-3705.