(Courtesy of RKids Team).
The RKids Enrichment Program is an after-school program for students who attend Geneseo Elementary School. This after-school activity is intended for students who come from disadvantaged households and are between third and fifth grade.
Several Geneseo students hold positions in the RKids Enrichment program, which is run through the Center for Community. Psychology major junior Daniella Quiroz is the organization’s Curriculum Liaison. In a virtual interview, she explained the requirements of her position as well as of her peers’ positions.
“My responsibilities include recruiting on-campus organizations and clubs interested in leading enrichment activities, helping establish a solid plan for said activity and making sure its execution is successful,” Quiroz said. “I also work closely with the program’s volunteers, ensuring they all fulfill their daily tasks.”
Quiroz further indicated the positions of her peers who are also involved in this organization.
History adolescent education major junior Michael Sheedy is the School District Liaison. He maintains direct contact with children’s parents as well as with the elementary school’s guidance counselor.
Additionally, childhood and special education major sophomore Kaysen Bickel is the Administrative Assistant and fulfills tasks of public relations and maintains frequent contact with the Human Resources Department. The advisor of this enrichment program is the Director of Student Volunteerism and Community Engagement Garth Freeman. Freeman oversees the program.
This program, as stated by Quiroz, is run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and is specifically intended to tutor students and keep them engaged in their educational curricula.
“This program provides students with one hour of tutoring and one hour of enrichment. [Geneseo student volunteers contribute by] helping RKids students with their homework,” Quiroz said. “[Additionally, volunteers are expected to review] any material that the students may be confused about and [practice] what is already known or what needs to be reinforced.”
There is a specific enrichment hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. which includes the involvement of both the volunteers as well as the college’s on-campus clubs or organizations. Students from such organizations are able to lead enrichment activities.
In fact, to encourage student involvement in this program, some professors require that their students participate in this program during the semester to show the elementary-aged students that learning can be enjoyable.
Given the pandemic, this program is currently being run via Zoom and Seesaw. Elementary students receive packaged activities and snack bags before leaving school on these days. Then Geneseo volunteers meet with students synchronously for one hour of tutoring and another hour of enrichment.
Quiroz and her peers are hopeful that more students and on-campus organizations will reach out to participate in this great opportunity. They will continue to promote this program, with the expectation that more organizations will show interest.