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Nysterious Green, left, and Nicholas Swafford complete homework assignments during Club 2:45 — a five-day per week after-school program provided by Code Elementary. Photo by Greg Oliver/Staff

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Heather Alexander assists Code Elementary student Brittany Bright during Club 2:45, an after-school effort offered in collaboration with Clemson University. Photo by Greg Oliver/Staff

SENECA — Approximately 125 Code Elementary second- through fifth-grade students are staying after school five days a week, but it’s not because they are being punished.

In fact, the students look forward to 2:45 p.m. each day. That’s when Club 2:45, an after-school program that is being coordinated through the school and Clemson University, begins.

Club 2:45, which concludes at 5:30 p.m., covers normal tutorial assistance along with providing education about academics, life skills, technology, media, mystery and culture. Funded through a four-year 21st Century Community Learning Center, officials hope the decrease in funding the final two years can be offset through volunteer contributions.

Anna Baldwin, site coordinator of Club 2:45 and an employee of Clemson University, said parents fill out an application if they wish for their child to participate, followed by a meeting.

“It is important to have parental involvement and participation so we can work with them,” Baldwin said, adding that monthly Parent Nights and computer classes for parents are also provided.

Baldwin receives assistance from Clemson University students, community retirees and companies such as Square D, where plant representatives have taught money management classes. In addition, the Pilot Club of Seneca has taught fifth-graders about bicycle safety and the importance of wearing helmets while riding, the Oconee Community Theatre assisted in a recent student production of “The Wizard of Oz” and anti-bullying and household safety programs are also offered.

“The goals of the program are to increase students academic achievement, decrease their discipline referrals, increase attendance during the school year, get more involvement from parents and keep the program self-sustaining so it can, hopefully, continue,” Baldwin said.

According to Baldwin, the first hour of the program is devoted to a snack and homework. From there, students attend Life Skills, which are hands-on activities that include Legos® (which are part of the robotics curriculum), three computer labs for educational games, videoediting that allows students to create their own musical pieces, creating slide shows and making them into short movies and working with various software. The students also take part in physical fitness that includes walking around the track.

Students even had the opportunity to take music lessons on a $20,000 Yamaha keyboard.

“The kids definitely love the program,” Baldwin said, adding, “They are definitely in need of something after school.”

While the school year is drawing to a close, Baldwin said Club 2:45 will only slightly slow down. A two-week summer camp is scheduled in June, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at noon, and Baldwin also hopes to implement more training for those working with students.

“We would like to establish a curriculum each year so that everyone knows what he or she is doing with each grade and what students are learning during the school day,” she said.

Baldwin said she is seeking volunteers willing to mentor, tutor, play games or share their special talents with student participants. Interested individuals should contact her at (864) 656-5093 or by e-mail at baldwi2@clemson.edu.