PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: SNBC's Afterschool Program at Ulloa Elementary School

SNBC's afterschool program at Ulloa Elementary School runs every school day from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. SNBC's program serves 185 2nd-5th grade students each day and is led by Program Coordinator Kyle Giocomo and his staff of 16.

What's a typical day at Ulloa like? The afternoon is broken into two basic periods: Homework Time and Community Time, with a snack break (yum!) and a short recess (fun!). During Homework Time, students have a quiet space to work and receive homework help from their program leader, while during Community Time, students participate in structured activities that focus on academic achievement in literacy, math, art, science, language, and culture. Once a week, Community Time is devoted to structured physical education and sports recreation time.

If students need extra help with homework, the Ulloa afterschool program has targeted math and literacy classes for students needing additional support.

Every Friday is "Clubs Day" at Ulloa, where students have the chance to take elective classes of their choosing. Clubs include Kite Club, Basketball Club, Mask-Making Club, Science Club, Cooking Club, and Pen Pal Club.

In addition to clubs, the afterschool program runs a number of fun ongoing classes that meet weekly, including: 

o   Ulloa Chronicles Newspaper Class

In this class, students meet with instructor and poet Lindsey Boldt to write and develop the school newspaper. Learning from newspaper article examples, students learn how to interview, research, and compose articles related to their school and interests. The Ulloa Chronicles goes out quarterly to the entire 2^nd–5^th grade class. Popular articles include critiques of the school lunch program, interviews with teachers, and reviews of video games.

o   Media Arts

Media arts students work with instructor and filmmaker Kapiolani Lee to create learn the art of filmmaking. Students write, direct, and film short skits, self-introductions, music videos, and animations. This year, two films were selected to be shown at SNBC's Annual Film Festival. Video "Dynamite Music" tied for the Viewers' Choice Award!

o   Hip Hop Dance

Instructor and experienced dancer Zack Gee works with students to develop complex choreographed hip hop dance routines. Students have performed at Ulloa’s Afterschool Winter Talent Show, SNBC's Annual Film Festival, and Ulloa's Afterschool Spring Talent Show.

o DJ Club

Students learn the fine art of turntable-ism and discover how to mix and scratch while working with experienced DJ and instructor Michael Falsetto-Mapp.

o   Girls and Boys Sports Teams

Forty 4th and 5th grade students are introduced to various sports including soccer, basketball, hockey, and softball. This year, the Ulloa Girls and Boys Sports Teams have had the opportunity to compete against the afterschool Sports Teams at Sunset, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Francis Scott Key Elementary schools.