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FAIRMONT -- Community Education and Recreation's (CER) facilitation of the Cardinal Prime after school program is returning for its second year. The program, for youth grades kindergarten to sixth, aims to enrich children's social skills and talents with valuable tasks cleverly camouflaged as entertaining activities that align with children's interests.
The program offers provided snacks, sports, gymnasium activities, arts and crafts, legos and toys, video games, board games, science experiments and several more hobbies to keep the student engaged during the 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm after school window.
According to CER's John Bartscher, last year the program saw a maximum of 64 student attendants in its first year. However, last year the program was free and made possible by a grant the Fairmont Area School district received from the state of Minnesota. As the district is not able to hold the program for free this year, the Cardinal Prime program will require a $200 payment made monthly September to May, or however long parents would like to enroll their children into the program.
With the additions of several new activities, such as a diverse amount of sports leagues, STEM and science projects, social-building and more, Bartscher hopes to see an uptick in parents and families taking advantage of the after-school program for the sake of their child. However, he acknowledges that families in economic crisis may not be able to afford the monthly program, thus provoking a decrease in participant quantity.
"Right now, there are no [cost-saving strategies or waived fee options]," Bartscher said, "But [the CER staff] are trying to form a scholarship program to help families pay for it."
Bartscher additionally hopes that while parents are unable to be directly involved with the Cardinal Prime programming and activities, it will benefit guardians in regards to having their children be occupied after the school day, and remove the stressor of early dismissal from work, or finding a qualified guardian to watch them.
Bartscher said that the CER programming staff has received remarkable feedback from last year's Cardinal Prime performance. He noted that many families that were enrolled previously will be joining Cardinal Prime once more for the 2024-2025 school year.
"The families are so glad they signed up. When their parents came to pick them up, the children didn't want to leave," Bartscher stated with a laugh. "That must mean we're doing it right."
Cardinal Prime staff includes paraprofessional who work at the Fairmont Elementary School during the school year. Including paraprofessionals has proven to be beneficial as they are easily recognizable and trusted adults by the children and adapt well to assist with the Cardinal Prime activities.
Both the CER staff and families supporting the program believe Cardinal Prime sets itself apart from other child-based enrichment programs in Martin County. The program is described as not only focused on academic standing, but entertaining while also teaching the children important lessons that may benefit them as they transition into adulthood.
"There's nothing else in Martin County like this. Every day and every week is a different thing," Bartscher said.
Currently, CER is working to boost the mission of Cardinal Prime, including getting the community involved, and 'in the know' about it.
"We try to promote it as much as we can," Bartscher said.
Registration for the September month of Cardinal Prime concludes on Wednesday, August 21. Children must be entering or currently in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Besides the age requirement, there are no additional qualifications or restrictions to enroll in Cardinal Prime. There is no maximum amount of students, and enrollment for future months is open on the CER website and store. According to CER, families may pay monthly on the 24th of each month, or for the entire length of the school year in advance. A discount of $25 will be subtracted from the cost per month, per additional child in each household.