Boys and Girls Club Reopening in Menomonie

Boys and Girls Club Reopening in Menomonie
Posted on 10/13/2016

On Monday, October 10, board members of the School District of the Menomonie Area approved a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley that will allow the club to reopen in our school district and community.  The approval by the school board, combined with many generous donations from members of the Menomonie Area, will help to provide children in our community with a safe and structured experience during both after school and summer programming.  It is expected that the Club will reopen in Menomonie at River Heights Elementary School sometime after January 1, 2017.


The partnership that the school district has with the Boys and Girls Club keeps the club available to all age-appropriate children living in the communities served by the School District of the Menomonie Area for the affordable rate of $15/year per child or $30/year per family.  Children who are home schooled or who attend a private school in our community are also eligible to participate.


According to information provided by the Boys and Girls Club, the after school program typically runs from the time that the school day ends until 7:00 p.m. and includes a healthy snack, supervised free time, and a daily challenge. All members participate in mandatory homework time or a planned educational activity with Club staff and volunteers.  The Boys and Girls Club provides programming that includes various activities in the core areas of Character and Leadership; Education and Career; Health and Life Styles; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation.


Last summer, the Boys and Girls Club in Menomonie also offered partial-day programming that coincided with the the school district’s summer school program and full-day programming on weekdays when the SDMA summer school program was not in session.  The Club is also open on most weekdays during the school year when school is not in session, with the exception of a few holidays.


With the scheduled reopening, the Club is looking for people from our community to get involved with our children.  Both volunteer and some paid positions are needed, and more information on getting involved is available on the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley website.


Despite the partnership that has been established between the school district and the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, the Club cannot exist in Menomonie without the support from the community.  Thank you to the businesses and individuals who have generously donated to provide this opportunity for our children.  


Even though enough funding has been secured to reopen the Club, more funds will be needed to keep the Club operational in our community.  Individuals, businesses, service organizations or others who would be willing to help support the Club can donate by sending a donation to 1005 Oxford Avenue, Eau Claire, WI  54703, or by visiting the Boys and Girls Club website at: www.cvclubs.org/donate.  Mailed donations for the Menomonie Center should include a note specifically designating those funds for Menomonie.


Should school families or stakeholders have any questions or information about the school district’s partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, I invite you visit me at the Administrative Service Center on Pine Avenue, or contact me at 715-232-1642. More information about our schools can be found on the school district website (www.sdmaonline.com), and I regularly post school-related information on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sdmaonline) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/menomonie.schools)