Welcome to Project Rise!

As soon as students walked into Operation Shoestring for our Project Rise afterschool program, you could sense the smiles underneath their masks. Whether they were returning students or entirely new to the program, all the kids coming through our doors this August were calm and confident as they were led by our talented staff into a seamless transition to Project Rise’s homework and snack time. Students at Project Rise receive so much encouragement and positive reinforcement, and really look forward to each and every day with their classmates and teachers here. Students like Mariyah have a full day of school at Galloway Elementary and still come to Project Rise ready to do the work of learning and growing. 

At Operation Shoestring, we’re big believers that fun and exploration can also be combined with an orderly afterschool routine. When first grader Mariyah came for her first day of Project Rise this week, her teacher led her and her classmates in learning the classroom procedures around homework tutorial and academic intervention. Mariyah’s favorite is the “Wonder Woman call.” When she or her classmates need help during the academic part of her afterschool day, she can pose like Wonder Woman to get her teacher’s attention without interrupting the silence needed for her classmates’ concentration.This gently silly classroom management technique empowers Mariyah and her classmates to view needing help with reading and math without any shame and to signal for assistance without any classroom disruption. Mariyah said she likes her classroom already, and it’s easy to see why with innovative classroom routines like this one!

Afterschool programs like ours are a lifeline for families for reasons far beyond homework help or academic intervention. Project Rise offers new learning opportunities like coding, provides supervision during essential outdoor and indoor playtime, and gives parents peace of mind that their children have nutritious snacks, caring adults, and a safe environment after the end of the school day. Mariyah is at her afterschool program for just three or four hours a day. However, those hours will have impacts on her life for years to come. Because of her participation in afterschool programs, Mariyah will be statistically more likely to avoid detrimental behaviors or activities that could adversely impact her future. When you support Operation Shoestring, you’re directly partnering with Mariyah and her teachers to create a brighter future for all kids in our neighborhoods. Join us at operationshoestring.org/support.