BY HATTIE FRANCIS/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
hattie.francis@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—J.P. King Middle School’s 21st Century After School Program held its first Winter Celebration Thursday.

The event showcased programs students participate in after school. Each teacher allowed students to demonstrate what they’ve been doing with their activities, which include Bingo, dancing, arts and crafts, calligraphy and fitness.

Funded with a three-year grant to the City of Franklin, the after-school program runs three days a week from 2:50 to 4:30. The program averages 100 students on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 70 to 80 on Thursdays.

According to art teacher Vanessa Collins, the arts and crafts class was so large it had to be split in half. Collins leads one class while seventh-grade teacher Amy Wilkins leads the other. Children have made jewelry and will soon begin string art and sewing.

“Our Mondays and Wednesdays are more geared toward homework and tutoring time,” said Carolyn Lawrence, psych coordinator for the program and a health and gym teacher at J.P. King.

She also pushes discipline.

“The kids know if they mess up, they are going to deal with the consequences,” Lawrence said. “Overall, it’s been a wonderful program. I have a great group of teachers. It’s rewarding to see the kids come out, and I’m seeing improvement in the classroom as far as discipline, and the kids doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”

“Academics is first, and then our enrichment,” she continued. “If the kids come and do what they’re supposed to do, they can be part of the program.”