In the Learning Zone

Champlain Education students working with Adjunct Professor Emily Reynolds (shown) help staff the Salvation Army’s After-School Learning Zone program.

The Salvation Army on Main Street in Burlington buzzed with kids laughing, drawing pictures of Harry Potter, reading books, and even dancing. It was Friday and most kids had completed their homework and were enjoying some free time with new friends at the Learning Zone.

The Learning Zone, a licensed after-school program, kicked off last fall. It targets students in Burlington in first through sixth grade, who are overwhelmed in school and are at risk of failing. Created in collaboration with the Division of Education & Human Studies at Champlain College, the program focuses on helping children from disadvantaged families get excited about learning and ultimately succeed in school.

“Many of these children come from families that are struggling,” said Major Karin Dickson, corps officer in Burlington. “We are concerned that these children are going to end up dropping out of school and perpetuating the cycle of needing assistance. Our goal is to help them become excited about school."

The Learning Zone would not be possible without the help of Champlain students and faculty. Associate Professor Laurel Bongiorno, Assistant Professor Kathryn Leo-Nyquist, and Adjunct Professor Emily Reynolds created the curriculum and launched the program. Reynolds was nominated director of the Learning Zone last spring. She runs the program with the help of Champlain College students. The students work with Reynolds to provide one-on-one tutorial assistance to 17 children, Monday to Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.

"Champlain students act as mentors helping kids get excited about learning and take pride in their work," says Reynolds. "These relationships help social and behavioral development among the kids so that they can become independent learners."

According to Reynolds, Champlain education students need to fulfill only a two-hour volunteer requirement per week, but many end up coming to the Learning Zone every day. Two students majoring in education, Katie Scanlon '11 and Allison Tinson '11, played a crucial role in the startup of the Learning Zone by creating a library for the program.

"The Learning Zone helps students get one-on-one help that can't always be provided at school," Scanlon explains. "The kids come into the Learning Zone library and are actually excited to pick a book to read with their Champlain reading buddy."

Every day Reynolds reads one chapter of a Harry Potter book aloud. She is amazed by how attentively the children sit and listen. After the reading session, they complete their homework with help from Champlain students. Once the homework is completed, they pick a book of their choice from the library to read with their reading buddy. If the children are well behaved, they get a marble in the Learning Zone jar, and once the jar is filled they get to go on a field trip. The children have already been apple picking and swimming at The Edge sports and fitness club. The students are putting on their best behavior for their next field trip, a hike.

According to Reynolds, the children have made a huge improvement in behavior and in academics. Many children who were not doing any of their homework before the program now come in and are glad to do it. The children come from different school districts so it is a time to meet new friends.

"We provide this program at no cost to the families or schools, using grants," said Chuck Bongiorno, development director for the Salvation Army. "We also provide transportation to and from the Learning Zone, because transportation can be a barrier for many parents. More than half of the children who attend now wouldn't be able to if transportation or funding was not provided."
The support and dedication of members of Champlain College and the Salvation Army make this program possible. The Learning Zone is changing the lives of children who struggle with issues at home or in the classroom.

"I like coming here," said Pyper Rivait, 10. "I get to do all my homework so I can go home and play."

-By Amanda Petry '11