CES After School Program
The CES After School Program develops the intellectual, social, and employment readiness abilities of 350 children at four elementary schools serving San Francisco Chinatown. Schools sites are Chinese Education Center, Garfield, Gordon J. Lau. Specific activities provided in the program include tutoring, art, science, sports, project-based learning, and language development. In particular, CES uses the Kidzlit curriculum to promote reading comprehension.
We provide these activities with an approach that encourages community awareness and participation. For example, in our ongoing Chinatown After School Olympics, participants of all four schools engage in monthly physical, intellectual, and artistic "competitions" with each other, thus forming relationships across the whole community. This year the after-school programs of Cameron House and the Chinatown YMCA will be joining us as well.
Program Goals
This year CES is embarking on an ambitious effort to measure program achievement. Measurable goals this year include:
- Increase tested proficiency level of the academically lowest 20% of participants in targeted areas of need.
- Increase reading comprehension of lowest 20% of participants.
- Increase oral communication skills of all participants as indicated by frequency of raising hands, frequency of participation in discussions, voluntary length of presentations such as share day, and range of expression in presentations.
- Increase written communication skills of all students as indicated by increased length of voluntary writing and range of expression.
- Increase ability to plan and implement projects by all participants. Indicator is completion of learning projects and hands-on construction projects.
- Increase social participation of isolated youth. Improvement indicators include self-initiated play with others and increased voluntary participation in group discussions.
- Decrease infractions by disruptive youth. Increase positive behaviors such as helping with activities and helping other children.
- All parents receive weekly packet and sign off on packet showing that they have viewed student work.
- 50% of parents submit comment cards to program every semester
Partners
- The ExCEL office of the SFUSD provides funding as well as guidance and training to our staff
- Torani Corporation
- Museum of Children's Art (MoCHA)
- Cameron House after-school program participates the Chinatown After School Olympics
- Chinatown YMCA participates in the Chinatown After School Olympics
- Performing Arts Workshop
- Girls On The Run
- Team Up for Youth
- Girl Scouts
After School Program Staff:
Johanna C. Masis
Youth Program Coordinator, Gordon J. Lau Elementary
I'm Johanna C. Masis and am the current youth program coordinator at Gordon J. Lau Elementary. Prior to my arrival to CES five years ago, I completed my post-graduate work at Holy Names University, under-grad work at UCSB, and several years in the Bay Area working with after school programs. A year of Americorps service introduced me to the vibrant and important world of after school programming. I sandwiched in a year in Japan to put my TESL credential to good use. I am appreciative for the opportunity to influence and help guide the young lives in the Chinatown community.
Kelvin Chin
Youth Program Coordinator, Chinese Education Center
I've been working at CES since 2005 in the elementary after school programs. I began in 2005 as an AmeriCorp member working with CES after school programs. Following that year, I began my endeavors as a program leader and as a coordinator within after school programming. I have been at Chinese Education Center as the after school program Coordinator for 2 years and strongly believe the assistance we provide helps our students succeed in their futures. Chinese Education Center is the only Chinese Newcomer school in San Francisco and provides a transitional program for youth to come and learn about American culture and gain some English background before they transition to other schools in the District. I also am an avid Ultimate Frisbee Player and have been playing competitively for over 9 years.
Yan Chan
Youth Program Coordinator, Garfield Elementary School
I'm Yan and currently, I serve as the youth program coordinator at Garfield Elementary School. I grew up in San Francisco and spent a good portion of my life in the Chinatown North Beach neighborhood. I finished my undergraduate degree from UC Davis not too long ago. During my college career, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend two semesters studying in Beijing; it was the experience of a lifetime. I am deeply connected to the culture and background of our students and families, and it is a pleasure to be able to serve the community in which I grew up in.
Leila Stoner
Youth Program Coordinator, Jean Parker Elementary School
Born and raised in England, Leila Stoner moved to the States to complete high school and attend University. After receiving her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver in Colorado and relocating to San Francisco with her husband, she worked as a counselor with disenfranchised teens on probation. Through graduate school, she worked within the Denver School System as a Counselor and at a Bereavement Center that served children and their families through peer support groups. Before attending graduate school, Leila worked with many non-profit organizations that focused on youth and education. Leila is excited to be back in San Francisco and to have begun her new career working as a Site Coordinator for Jean Parker Elementary School's after school program; she looks forward to the growth that will come from this experience.