After school growing pains

Is there such a thing as a "good problem?"

183 kids being taken care of by a multi-year $1.4 million before and after school program in Du Quoin Dist. 300?

When the program began last week, no one thought so. But, things have gotten somewhat better this week at the Du Quoin Youth Club, whose gym (the smallest one in Du Quoin) and activity area became a short after school recreational repository for many of those kids.

Staff member Penny Barrett railed on the district last week for crashing the club's own otherwise well-organized--but much smaller--program. "Members of the youth club board had a meeting with school personnel. They (the district) are going to pay us something and give money for more equipment," she said. "Gary Kelly (district superintendent) has been here the last two sessions. It went pretty well and things are a little more fluid."

Last week, the basketballs were flying. Kids were getting hit by stray balls. Youth Club regulars found themselves looking through a window into THEIR gym at strangers taking over. "Now, it is better organized. Our kids are not shoved aside at all. Our usual kids stay involved in any activities the school kids do. New activity signs help. "Everybody is trying all the way around." And, suddenly, "This is a wonderful opportunity and I am going with the flow."

What a difference a week can make.