After a long process of planning and preparing, the Mansfield Public School TAG program is underway. The TAG program is an after-school program offered, with no cost to parents, at Mansfield Middle School sponsored by the Arkansas ARP ESSER III Afterschool and Summer Learning Competitive Grant. The grant is through the Arkansas Out of School Network and Arkansas State University, which received funding from the AR Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Mansfield Middle School team volunteered their time to write the grant led by TAG Director Mrs. Lori Lamb. The team was composed of Middle School Teachers Dimity Beran, Malinda Wesley, and Principal, Floyd Fisher. After multiple hours of planning and writing, the team was awarded the highest AOSN grant in the state of Arkansas. The grant was approved for just under $155,000.00.
The program finally received the official contracts to begin just prior to Christmas Break. As we have all learned these past two years, nothing is easy during covid related times. The TAG program was set to begin January 10th upon arrival for the New Year. Unfortunately, that week the district had to move to offsite instruction due to an increase of faculty positive covid cases. After all the setbacks and tribulations, we are excited to announce our first day of TAG was a success!
Mrs. Lori Lamb and her team of Mansfield Public School teachers are building a program like none we have seen in our community before. The first day was full of fun activities with just over 50 after-school students. The TAG team continues to build on ideas from students, faculty, and community input. The TAG program is working to offer students access to music, art, physical activity, STEM activities, robotics, community service projects, and many other items we are excited about.
The TAG program begins daily with Mansfield Public School Cafeteria staff working to provide after-school snacks and ends with the serving of a third meal which is made possible by a grant through DHS. The after-school snack grant and third meal DHS grant was put in place by Mrs. Sonia Norris, Mansfield School District Cafeteria Supervisor. Students not only have the opportunity to explore a variety of learning environments, but also a plethora of activities to enhance learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. We look forward to sharing pictures and bringing in community resources to teach students how to be more successful in our society. We look forward to adding technology that students have had limited contact with and learn the applications to real-world scenarios. Community members with special skills are asked to contact our TAG program coordinator. Businesses are also encouraged to support TAG by volunteering as guest speakers to help our students develop community relationships and career field exposure. Registration is currently open for TAG.
