Expanded Learning Programs
Staff
(831) 753-5700 ext. 2007 • FAX (831) 754-0582
Alisal Union School District Expanded Learning Opportunities
The purpose of Alisal's Expanded Learning Program is to provide our students with a variety of enriching experiences beyond the regular school day focusing on developing the whole child. The activities range from science, technology, engineering, performing arts and math. These activities would not be accessible to our families otherwise due to limited resources.
These experiences are designed to build self-esteem, parent involvement and a positive outlook towards school in a way that ultimately increases student achievement. To accomplish this, Alisal USD engages with community partners in our mission to maintain high expectations and strive for excellence in our students. Our goals are to provide a safe and healthy after-school environment for at-risk youth, enrich and empower our children to explore their potential, build on their interests and strengths, celebrate their achievements and grow socially and emotionally with their peers through activities supported by culturally responsive mentoring, collaboration and teamwork. Our programs currently serve 41 percent of our district's student population from kindergarten through sixth grade.
After School Education & Safety (ASES)
The ASES program funds the establishment of local after school and enrichment programs. In AUSD, These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment, and safe constructive alternatives for students in grades 1-6.
The educational literacy component provides tutoring, and homework assistance designed to help students meet standards in core academic subjects such as reading/language arts, math, and science. A broad range of activities are implemented based on local student needs and interests.
The enrichment component offers an array of additional activities that reinforce student learning through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) methodology centered on an interdisciplinary approach that encourages problem solving, discovery, and exploratory learning that increase students' ability to think critically and work as a member of a team.
Our program also offers structured Physical Education opportunities and daily supper. The program begins immediately after the regular school day and runs until 6 p.m. daily. A before school program is also available at Jesse G. Sánchez Elementary School and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy. Before school programs begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at 8 a.m. daily.
Our after school program is available to students who attend any of the 12 schools in the Alisal Union School District:
Alisal Community School, Bardin Elementary School, César E. Chávez Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary School, Frank Paul Elementary School, Fremont Elementary School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, Jesse G. Sánchez Elementary School, John E. Steinbeck Elementary School, Monte Bella Elementary School, and Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School.
For more information, please the Educational Services Department at (831) 753-5700.
Performing Arts
Alisal Community Arts Network
Music Programs in our schools are increasing in demand and an important of the community of East Salinas. The Alisal Union School District began a partnership with the then names Alisal Percussion as part of our ASES After School Program in 2013-2014 as a drumline program at Chávez and Loya schools. In 2014-2015, the Alisal Percussion changed its name to the Alisal Community Arts Network (ACAN) and expanded their drumline program to include six AUSD schools: Alisal, Chávez, Frank Paul, Loya, MLK and Vásquez. They began incorporating other styles of music into the current program to expand students’ musical knowledge, broaden students' musical experiences, develop student literacy in other competency areas beyond the regular school day, foster an appreciation of music and provide culturally responsive mentoring. Alisal USD's After School Music Program in partnership with ACAN has since expanded to all 12 school sites, and now includes a mariachi, orchestra, marching band, and colorguard. Our partnership has grown into one of the largest elementary school music programs in the state of California that includes and All-Star Orchestra and Marching Band that has become a prominent performer in local parades and competes in local and statewide competitions. This program serves over 1,500 students in East Salinas annually. Find out more about ACAN at http://www.alisalcan.org
Tonatiuh Danzantes del Quinto Sol
Founded in 1992, Tonatiuh the largest Mexican Dance Group in the City of Salinas, is a committed dance group promoting cultural appreciation and awareness through dance. Alisal USD began its partnership with Tonatiuh in 2016-2017 at Jesse G. Sánchez Elementary School and has since expanded to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, Monte Bella Elementary, Frank Paul Elementary, Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary, Creekside Elementary and Fremont Schools. The goal of this program is to develop student understanding of the importance of dance to social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Students will be instructed in dance theory, history, performance technique and choreography. The program will increase student opportunities to succeed in learning through building dance talents, mentoring support, developing a healthy work ethic, structured physical activity and strengthening self-esteem. This program currently serves approximately 350 students.
Saturday STEM Academies
NASA
The district began a partnership with the Hartnell College Foundation in July 2014 to provide a Saturday STEM Academies that engage and encourage students to follow a career in science, technology, engineering and math. This partnership is made possible by the NASA Minority University Research and Education Project Aerospace Academy. Students are invited to attend an eight week academy on Saturdays. This academy is offered once a year at each of our school sites. Each academy concludes with a Family Resource Day where families are invited to attend a community resource fair hosted by a variety community agencies, and parents attend their child's last class where they switch roles with their children and become the students while their children become the teachers. Students select a mission from their NASA curriculum and engage their families in a hands-on experience to complete the mission. This program serves over 1,200 students in East Salinas each school year in kindergarten through sixth grade. Learn more about our programs at https://www.hartnell.edu/AUSD
Introduction to Coder Dojo
In response to Hartnell's mission to support K-12 STEM programming the Hartnell College Foundation in collaboration with the Alisal Union School District developed and piloted the Introduction to Coder Dojo STEM Academy in 2015-2016. This program facilitates learning experiences for students to gain interest in computer coding and lose the fear towards technology. It helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century. This program inspires students to increase their interest in coding by participating in a six week session and eventually sign up for our more focused Coder Dojo Hartnell College program at the Alisal campus of Hartnell College. Our program has allowed students to understand the basic concepts of computer programming and open their minds into Computer Science. Our Intro to Coder Dojo program combines computer time with hands-on activities that are fun and entertaining and will allow students to absorb concepts that otherwise they would consider too hard or advanced. This program serves close to 800 students each year in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
