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REACH after-school program outlines enrichment, nutrition and grant funding through 2027
Summary
REACH program leaders told the El Rancho Unified board the after-school program serves eight elementary sites with enrichment (culinary, theater, intramurals), homework support and a literacy focus; they said state ACES grant funding is secured through 2027.
District and REACH leaders presented an overview of REACH after-school programming at the Jan. 21 board meeting, describing curriculum, staffing and funding.
Dennis West, REACH supervisor, said the service operates across all eight elementary sites (transitional kindergarten through fifth grade) and is funded by the state's After School Education and Safety (ACES) grant. The program includes structured homework support, a 30-minute organized physical curriculum (SPARK), culinary classes, theater, intramural sports and a spring recital; staff aim to build literacy, leadership and student confidence.
Presenters said the program's grant cycle is a three-year renewal process and that REACH has secured funding through 2027. They described site staffing: academic coaches who liaise with school-day teachers, one site coordinator per site, and classroom leaders at a ratio of roughly one leader per 20 students.
Trustees asked about assessment, benchmarks and attendance. Presenters said they use partner surveys and data reporting from the Global Learning partner; attendance recovered from COVID-era lows and was estimated at roughly 75–80% districtwide, with site-level variation. Trustees requested benchmark results to be shared with the board for review.
What's next: REACH leaders will supply benchmark details to trustees and coordinate outreach to boost attendance and parent awareness of program events such as recitals and the REACH mini-Olympics.
