Berkeley After School Programs
Zachary Pless, Extended Learning Program Supervisor
1720 Oregon Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: (510) 644-7770
Fax: (510) 644-8703
Emily Nathan, Berkeley LEARNS Program Supervisor
1731 Prince Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: (510) 883-6146
Fax: (510) 644-7726
Berkeley LEARNS (Links Enrichment, Academics and Recreation to the Needs of Students) After School Programs
Berkeley LEARNS programs provide academic support, cultural enrichment and recreation from the time the traditional school day ends until 6:00pm during the academic year. The programs are in operation at ten elementary school sites (Berkeley Arts Magnet, Cragmont, Emerson, John Muir, Le Conte, Malcolm X, Oxford, Rosa Parks, Thousand Oaks and Washington), at all three middle schools, and B-Tech.
All BUSD students are eligible to participate in a Berkeley LEARNS After School Program. Students can ONLY enroll at the program located at the school they attend. Students and siblings who are currently enrolled in a program receive priority placement for the following year. Additional spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
09-10 Elementary Registration Packet(pdf)
09-10 MS Registration Packet(pdf)
The programs receive reimbursement for students who attend the Program five days a week for three hours a day. Full-time enrollees will receive priority in registration. Every effort will be made to accommodate parents seeking part-time enrollment. Drop-in students are not allowed.
Berkeley LEARNS programs are primarily funded by the California Department of Education After School Education and Safety Programs (ASES) grant, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants, parent fees based on a sliding scale, and various mini-grants.
Berkeley LEARNS After School Programs consist of four major components.
Academic Support
The academic component supports academic success by creating links to classroom learning by offering homework support, small group or individual tutoring, and mentoring. The program staff is in continual communication with the classroom teachers to stay informed of students' academic challenges and strengths, which enable the staff to provide appropriate academic activities.
Enrichment Opportunities
The enrichment component offers both traditional and non-traditional activities designed to build knowledge and enhance creative expression. These opportunities are offered by program staff and contracted specialists. The range of classes include: Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Life skills, and Science, and many more. Multiple sessions are offered per year. While participating in these components, students have the opportunity to sharpen and/or learn skills and discover new ways to express themselves. We have found that when children are offered the chance to excel in enrichment activities, their self-esteem and confidence soars, which leads to academic success.
Recreational Activities
We encourage personal growth through competitive and non-competitive sports by building teamwork and a healthy competitive spirit, developing relationships, and having fun. Through our partnership with the City of Berkeley we are able to offer our elementary school students an enhanced athletic program. The middle school programs include recreational sports and interscholastic athletic teams.
Community Building
Berkeley LEARNS Programs instill a sense of community among the students that fosters pride in their program, school, and community. Some of the related activities include: community circles, leadership programs, TRIBES, community service projects, and conflict resolution programs. In addition, the programs serve as a resource to families and the community. The programs encourage and value all forms of parent/guardian involvement and offer multiple opportunities for parents/guardians to be involved in their children's education.
BEARS (Berkeley’s Excellent Academic Road to Success)
The BEARS program provides academic support and enrichment/recreation activities both before and after school.
- Before School - 7:30 am at the late start schools and one hour before at the early start schools
- After School/Vacation - Until 5:30 pm during the academic year and all day 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during vacations
We are open 240 weekdays per year to include all of Summer break and much of the Winter and Spring breaks (click here for current calendar). The programs are in operation at eight (8) elementary school sites: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Jefferson, John Muir (mornings only), Le Conte, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Thousand Oaks and Washington. Students who attend John Muir, Emerson, Cragmont, or Oxford can be bussed both before and after school from another site within their enrollment zone (click here for bussing zones).
Academic Support
The academic support component consists of two major elements: homework assistance and academic enrichment activities. Homework assistance is conducted daily, utilizing both small-group and individual tutoring. Academic enrichment includes: daily literacy activities (group read-alouds and guided, independent reading, utilizing books aligned to student levels), twice-a-week math games and activities (Kidz Math), as well as a variety of science, social studies and computer learning programs (Compass Learning).
Enrichment/Recreational Activities
The enrichment/recreation component offers a wide variety of activities. These activities are offered by program staff and contracted specialists (many are shared between the BEARS and LEARNS programs). Multiple sessions are offered per year. Through our partnership with the City of Berkeley, we are able to offer our elementary school students an enhanced athletic program with organized teams of students from both the BEARS and LEARNS programs.
Staffing and Class Sizes
Each classroom is led by a Child Development Teacher (who has earned either a Child Development Teaching Permit or a Multi-Subject Teaching Credential) and an Instructional Assistant. The maximum BEARS classroom size of 28 students allows us to maintain a 14:1 student-to-adult ratio.
Requirements
The BEARS program is funded through the California Department of Child Development and all families must meet both income requirements and must demonstrate a need for care. Income requirements are set by the state, based on the State Median Income and family size. Click here for the most current Fee Schedule. Families that are below 40% of the State Median Income have no cost for care. Nearly all of the students who attend during the school year are considered to be part-time students (less than 6.5 hours per day). All BUSD students are eligible to participate in the BEARS program, but families whose income exceeds the Fee Schedule limits are required to pay full cost (click here for chart).
Need for care requires that parents provide documentation that shows that they need services for their child. These are most commonly: a self-declaration of seeking work (temporary), work schedules, class schedules or disability. Additional time will be allotted for travel and school work.
If space at the program becomes limited, younger students are given priority over older students; however, most sites are able to accommodate all students K-5. Concurrent enrollment in both the LEARNS and BEARS programs is allowed so students can take advantage of the BEARS morning or summer programs. Drop-in students are not allowed.
Community Programs
Various community-based organizations provide after-school care for Berkeley students. Programs offered at the Berkeley Parks and Recreation Centers and the YMCA include a wide array of services such as homework assistance, arts, music, recreation, as well as more specialized programs that include: foreign language, nature, karate, and yoga classes.
Limited space is available and enrollment is first-come, first-serve at most locations. Please contact the specific program for details on services, enrollment procedures and fees.
Limited transportation is provided from school sites to community programs.