Shomron children receive additional tutoring in after-school learning center.

Children learn in different ways. Some thrive in a noisy, bustling classroom. Others prefer to learn independently. And some children need additional help and guidance to reach their potential.

In addition, many Shomron children who are ordinarily model students are finding it difficult to concentrate and absorb their studies during these stressful times.

The Shomron Regional Council currently maintains four After School Therapeutic Learning and Activity Centers. These centers provide auxiliary and supplementary learning in a warm, nurturing environment for a maximum of 15 children in first through sixth grade.

Upon arrival, the children receive a hot meal or nutritious snack, and then tackle their homework under the guidance of a certified teacher or a trained paraprofessional. During the afternoon, each child also receives a tutoring session.

When the learning is over, the fun begins. After a hard afternoon’s work, the children participate in games and other social activities.

The learning centers are housed in caravans or apartments provided by each community. Center hours are generally 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All of our centers are recognized and supervised by the Department of Social Services, Shomron Regional Council.

Due to the security, social and educational needs we are currently working to open up 18 more centers to serve about 270 children in more than half of our 33 communities. This is a major untaking on our part but one recommended by the social work staff of the dept of social services and community leaders.

Each center will have a coordinator, and part-time teacher. Each center must be supplied with computers, tables and chairs, games and sports equipment. The community that will receive the center will be required to supply a building or grouping of classrooms and pay the utilities on it.

We are turning to you to help us establish the additional centers which are so essential to encourage our children to learn and develop in a warm, nurturing and safe environment. The atmosphere in these centers also helps our children to better cope with the stresses of life now inherent in the Shomron.

Here is how you can help…