Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2019)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019 | 7A to Bohemia Elementary School in January as well, as long as staffing can be secured. Jackson anticipates the expansion to find favor in the community consider- ing recent responses. “The support the com- munity has shown us has been phenomenal,” Jack- son said. “The adminis- tration, the school staff, the kids and families – even the folks from Dutch Bros. They’re so excited that we’re out in Cottage Grove, so it’s just such an DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL At Harrison Elementary, the program runs from the end of school until 6 p.m. While services are currently exclusive to Harrison, the plan is to expand the program to Bohemia Elementary in January. YMCA from A1 after-school program builds upon our 133-year commitment to grow and innovate in order to meet the evolving needs in Lane County.” The program at Har- rison makes use of the school’s cafeteria, gym, playground and project studio for an array of ac- tivities. Children are treated to fruit snacks, games, phys- ical activities, cooking, art projects and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities. In addition, the program offers home- work assistance to stu- dents who need it. Harrison Elementary School Principal Heidi Brown is a fan of the new service. “The YMCA is about keeping kids physical- ly active and mentally engaged in creative and fun activities and I love watching the kids do that every day after school,” she said. “The activities are really well thought out and fun for kids. They’re loving what they’re do- ing.” The program runs from the end of school until 6 p.m. and services are exclusive to Harrison students due to high de- mand. Still, the enrichment program has found it challenging to attract pro- gram staff applicants and is not currently operating at full capacity. Jackson said the recent addition of another staff member from Eugene is raising the enrollment to about 30 children, but while the wait list of children grows, the YMCA is looking for more qualified adults. “Somebody that has experience in a licensed center, certified sum- mer camp experience or credits in the field,” said Jackson. “That’s primari- ly what we’re looking for, but we’re definitely will- ing to hire aides.” Qualifications for aides could include people who have limited to no expe- rience, but demonstrate a passion for working with children. If the YMCA can reach its goal of three staff members, around 40 chil- dren may be enrolled in the program. Brown is hopeful the program will find the staffing it needs. “I love seeing the kids engaged in hands-on ac- tivities after school,” said Brown. “I think so often young people fill their time with screen time.” The addition of the program to Cottage Grove serves a common- ly-voiced need in the community as well. “There’s been a huge void to fill – that need for after-school care for our working parents,” said Brown. “Especially if they work in Eugene.” While the YMCA’s pres- ence in Cottage Grove will do its part to fill a need for after-school care, some in the community are eager to see a more organized approach to the issue. Many of Cottage Grove’s youth programs are run as insular operations. “I think what’s needed is a very consistent infor- mation stream and con- sistent participation” said Samantha Duncan, owner of local business Health Hub. “In a small com- munity, it’s almost more important than anywhere else for people who want a service to really commit to utilizing it once it’s in place.” Health Hub won the Vi- sion Keepers’ Community Health Award this year for creating fitness oppor- tunities for people of all ages. Duncan has includ- ed several youth-orient- ed classes in her business model. “Little Movers,” an ob- stacle course, tumbling and motor skills class lets little ones aged up to four years old practice social integration, balance and muscle memory. Family Capoeira serves ages four and up with Af- ro-Brazilian movements which combine elements of dance, music and acro- batics. For ages three to five, “Ants and Fireflies” teach- es basic motor skills and balance with rolling, cart- wheel and handstand les- sons. Lastly, ages four and up may also participate in a tumbling and gymnastics class for beginning to in- termediate levels, which includes lessons on beam and bar mounts as well as rolls and handsprings. Prices for kids start at $35 per month for the youngest age groups and go up to $55. “I’d love to expand it, but my space is limited,” Duncan said. Other programs for youth in the community do exist, such as gaming store Delight’s own after- school enrichment pro- gram, Rogers Family ATA Martial Arts programs for beginners and South Val- ley Athletics’ many sports options. However, the relative obscurity of some of these programs has been a bar- rier to some and Brown confirmed requests for such after-school care are all too common. Some more respite may be on the horizon, though, as the YMCA’s program in Cottage Grove does not end with Harrison. Cur- rent plans are to expand amazing feeling for us.” Brown was also opti- mistic that YMCA pro- grams could make lateral movements across the community. “I hope that this is just the beginning of our part- nership with YMCA,” she said. “I’d love to see some summer camps in Cottage Grove that YMCA could run. I know that they do some preschool options. We’re not quite there yet, but I know that that is a big need in our commu- nity.” EVERYONE DESERVES A GREAT SMILE! CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION • 541.686.1732 EUGENE CRESWELL 622 E. 22nd Ave Suite C 195 Melton Rd. 541.686.1732 541.686.1732 or visit us at www.thornton-ortho.com Shady Oaks ATE Plants SAVE THE D & Produce Adult Only Movie Night Featuring Beetlejuice Leave the little grimlins and goblins at home, and come join us! Oct 26th 6:00pm Jack Sprats will be serving adult beverages. Costume contest at 6pm. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd $5 Cover charge, also includes a S’mores Kit It’s the place to be! 77380 Hwy 99 So., CG • 942-5004 Anytime. Anywhere. Any day... Quality Cleaning Certifi ed Green Carpet Cleaning Specialists Matt Bjornn, Agent %XV www.bjornninsurance.com 541-942-0420 NEW: Digital X-Rays (use less radiation) That’s when you can count on State Farm ® . I know life doesn’t come with a schedule. That’s why at State Farm you can always count on me for whatever you need – 24/7, 365. GET TO A BETTER STATE ™ . CALL ME TODAY. Implants · Teeth Whitening · Single Visit Crowns 1101198.1 Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS 350 Washington, Cottage Grove 541.942.7934 6WDWH)DUP+RPH2ǦFH%ORRPLQJWRQ,/ UP TO 40% OFF Appliances UP TO 25% OFF Power Lawn & Garden UP TO 50% OFF Tool Savings PLUS ALL CRAFTSMAN MECHANICS TOOLS SETS ON SALE VALID SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6TH THRU SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2019 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm | Sat 9am-6pm | Sun 11am-4pm 118 Gateway Blvd., Cottage Grove (Next to Bi-Mart) • 541-942-7377 WEATHERIZATION PRODUCTS AVAILABLE Family owned and operated for over 47 years. LANDSCAPE AND BUILDING MATERIALS Open 7 days a week! 79149 N. River Road 541-942-4664
