/24-7PressRelease/ - Santa Ana, CA, September 11, 2008 - During the 2008-09 school year, the non-profit THINK Together, Inc., in partnership with nine Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties) school districts, will provide "free" multi-faceted after-school programs to more than 7,000 students who attend one of more than 70 public schools (List Attached).
There is no cost to parents who enroll their children in THINK Together's programs because these after-school programs, designed to help students achieve their full potential, are supported with state and federal grants as well as investments from individuals, private corporations, other non-profit organizations and foundations.
However, parents and students enrolled in the THINK Together programs must commit to attend the after-school program each school-day afternoon until 6:00 p.m. During that time, students receive a healthy snack and participate in various core activities including: academic enrichment with an emphasis on improving language arts and math skills; homework help; and CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health), which combines a dynamic and fun physical activity with nutrition education.
THINK Together is a leader in the ongoing development of assessment and evaluation tools that can determine the impact its after-school programs are having on student achievement. In a satisfaction survey conducted this last year, 95 percent of parents with a child enrolled in THINK Together programs indicated they would recommend the programs to other parents. Independent research conducted by Hoffman, Clark and Associates, indicates parents and teachers alike say students enrolled in the academically-focused programs are likely to show substantial growth in homework completion, grades and self-esteem.
Dave Long, California's Secretary of Education, and the former Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, has stated publicly that "THINK does far more than 'baby-sit' kids after the school day ends. The kids in THINK, one of the best tested and most soundly designed programs around, demonstrate incredible improvement in school.
"Sixty-five percent show significant improvement in math and 60% show similarly high advances in reading. Teachers report an overwhelming majority of THINK participants do better in the classroom. Perhaps most importantly, surveys of the students themselves show that 68 % feel better about their ability to read and speak English, 81% are more comfortable solving math problems and fully 86% report an improvement on homework completion," adds Secretary Long.
To get more information about one of THINK Together's specific programs or determine a student's eligibility to participate in a particular program, parents are encouraged to call or visit the administrative office at their child's respective school site.
About THINK Together, Inc.
Since its broad scale expansion during the 2006-07 school year, Santa Ana-based THINK Together, Inc., which serves more than 30,000 students across a four-county region of Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties), has emerged as one of the leading providers of academically focused after-school programs in California.
Rather than simply warehousing students in the after-school hours, THINK Together, along with its school district partners, has a demonstrated ability to keep kids healthy and safe, and help students close the achievement gap. That is due in part to the generosity of private individuals and organizations.
Among those in Southern California who made significant investments in THINK Together's after-school programs this last year: The Irvine Company and its chairman Donald Bren, AT&T, Bank of America, Leona Aronoff-Sadacca, The Eisner Foundation (Michael & Jane Eisner), Majestic Realty Foundation, Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation, the Peter and Virginia Ueberroth Family Foundation, and the Weingart Foundation.
Among those with Inland Empire ties serving on THINK Together's board of directors: Leona Aronoff-Sadacca (LBJ Management, LLC); Mark Bogh (Bogh Construction, Inc.); Gloria M. Harrison (Crafton Hills College); and Celeste Cantu (Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority).
Further information about THINK Together can be found at THINKtogether.org.
THINK: Teaching, Helping, Inspiring & Nurturing Kids
THINK Together, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is the largest provider of academically-focused after-school programs in California; serving 30,000 students at more than 200 sites across a four-county region of Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties). For more information call 888.485.THINK or visit us on the Web at THINKtogether.org.
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