The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-Waitsburg Elementary has a lot to be proud of, from the great teachers surrounding our kids to the wonderful programs it offers, including the Cardinal's Nest. The after school program, which has been shaped over the last 15 years, provides students a safe place to unwind after the school day while they wait for their parents.

Kathy Carpenter, the current Cardinal's Nest Coordinator, recognized the need for an after school program in 2003. The school received a 5-year grant through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, and the idea took off.

"The 21st Century program started something big, and it was obvious that we needed to continue something," said Carpenter. The Cardinal's Nest was the result! The program is available Monday-Friday, from 2:40pm-5:00 pm, for elementary students. The current program is not grant funded, so they have to charge a small fee that is based on a sliding scale. Details of this scale, as well as the dates the program will be closed, can be found at the Waitsburg School District website, for interested parents and caregivers.

The Cardinal's Nest provides a snack, homework help, outdoor time, and a structured project, amongst other activities. On Tuesdays, Kate Hockersmith leads a bluegrass 'jam,' where kids have the opportunity to play stringed instruments, like the guitar, and they have the opportunity to sing and explore the musical world. Up to 35 kids can be found making music on the bluegrass days. On Wednesdays, Wyatt Bowlman leads Big Ben Brass Wednesdays, where students get to experiment with, and learn all about, brass instruments. Music has been proven time after time to be a positive, for both kids and adults, in many ways. The students also have to opportunity to participate in science activities, and have access to 1-on-1 projects, thanks to the various volunteers within the program.

"We have a very generous benefactor," said Carpenter, "who helps with the art program. They help make it so we can offer Free Art for All 3 days a week. We usually have a big turnout for art days. The kids love it." The art room, which was once the elementary music classroom, is lined with previous art projects: Student self-portraits and other drawings and paintings give the room the inviting vibe it deserves.

This last Friday, nearly 25 kids got to play with strings and paint, in the sweetest "coordinated chaos" you can find. Kathy Schirm, a Waitsburg School District employee and Cardinal's Nest volunteer, said that Friday's tend to be the slower art day, but they are still fun. Mrs. Schirm focuses on the art program.

Led by Mrs. Schirm, the kids (who were suited up in oversized t shirts) coated strings of jute in non-toxic paint, placed the string in a folded piece of paper, and pulled the string through the paper. The result: a wide array of abstract flowers, letters, and stained-glass looking pieces. The kids were encouraged to pick their own colors, and arrange their string in different positions. The Free Art for All program values the expressiveness of art in all forms.

Mrs. Schirm mentioned that they will be holding a two-day program in January that will be a combination of art projects and science games.

The art program has two special volunteers: Ms. Ginger (Kessels), a district parent, and Ms. Cedar (Stegall), a middle school student. Both Ms. Ginger and Ms. Cedar were seen giving words of encouragement, and happily answering questions alongside Mrs. Schirm. With the number of attending students growing, the program welcomes volunteer help.

"We are always looking for new ideas, and people to share their talents," said Carpenter. People who are willing to inspire kids, especially in the arts and sciences, are welcome to reach out and bring ideas to the Nest. It takes a village, and a creative village only benefits the minds of this young generation.