East Elementary’s Eagle’s Nest after‑school program serves 20–30 students weekly with homework help and enrichment
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Summary
Principal Carly Watterson told the Mount Vernon City Schools board the Eagle’s Nest, an after‑school partnership with United Way of Knox County, runs Monday–Thursday, 3:30–5 p.m., prioritizes students scoring in the bottom 20th percentile on NWEA MAP and teacher referrals, and typically serves 20–30 students with a cap of 30.
Carly Watterson, principal at East Elementary, told the Mount Vernon City Schools board that the school’s Eagle’s Nest after‑school program runs Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and provides 45 minutes of homework help and 45 minutes of enrichment.
“We really wanna make sure, though, that it's known. We are looking for students that need the additional help. It's not just open to anyone,” Watterson said, describing the program’s selection process. She said the school uses beginning‑of‑year NWEA MAP assessment data to invite students who scored in roughly the 20th percentile and then takes teacher recommendations; remaining spots are offered to families who need after‑school care.
Watterson described the program as volunteer‑driven and listed local partners and activities: United Way of Knox County; volunteers from NYU and the Providence Center; YMCA and Movement with Morgan activities; SNAP‑Ed lessons (including a smoothie‑blender powered by a stationary bike); 4‑H STEM activities; board‑game sessions led by retired teachers; arts and crafts with Paula Barone; and, this year, square dancing. She said Marilyn Nagy coordinates the volunteer program and teachers Holly Brackman, Casey Melton and Tiffany Firebaugh also lead help sessions.
Watterson said the program typically serves 20–30 students and that the school keeps a hard cap of 30 because library space is limited. “Thirty is definitely our max,” she said, adding that participation ebbs and flows with seasons and family schedules. Watterson said the district starts the program in October and typically runs it through May.
On outcomes, Watterson said the school tracks NWEA MAP percentiles for participating students and looks for growth: “We want to be able to show growth. And so we've always shown growth. I think in the 7 years that we've had kids involved, I can only think of 1 kid that has actually not shown growth.”
Board members asked about grade levels served and whether the program could be expanded. Watterson said Eagle’s Nest focuses on third through fifth grades but will include second grade when space allows; she said kindergarten and first grade are typically excluded because of the length of the regular school day. She also said the program can accept students who need after‑school care when there are openings.
The presentation noted the program is now in its eighth year overall and partners closely with United Way to staff volunteers and enrichment providers. Watterson invited questions and said the program continues to rely on volunteers and teacher leadership to operate.
