After four hours of intense math problem solving, this is as serious as the six “mathletes” from GES wanted to get! Participants in the middle school MATHCOUNTS! competition at UMD included (L-R) Lynden Blomberg, Amelia Roth, Keenan Hingos, Aurora Schelmeske, Robin Henrikson, and Ellen Callender. The GES team placed sixth out of a strong 10-school field, and vowed to do even better next year!
It was almost spur of the moment, but Jenna Berglund and friends hosted a spaghetti fundraiser in conjunction with Parent’s Night at the last Cook County High School home basketball game on February 20 that raised over $600 for the After School All-Star program.
“I thought of this about a week before parent’s night, so I didn’t have much time to plan. But I went to businesses and didn’t have any trouble getting the donations needed to host this event. This community is seriously awesome,” said Berglund.
The After School All-Star program is free for parents who have children that need a place to go after school. Parents must pick up their kids by 6 p.m.
Berglund said each night kids are led through a variety of activities that include cooking, swimming, sports programs and a science night. “It’s really a great place for people like me who either can’t get off work to pick their kids up or don’t have the money to pay an after school babysitter,” she said.
The After School All-Stars program offers fun activities for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade.
After School All-Stars is a collaboration between the YMCA, Cook County Extension, Cook County Community Education, and Kids Plus. Jen Schuler and Blake Denewith head up the program that is open for kids K-5th grade.
“I learned a lot this year, so it should be better next year. I really want to help support this program. It’s really nice knowing your kids are in a safe place with people who care about them. Again, I just want to thank all of those people who contributed,” Berglund said.
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