Rush Strong School - JEFFERSON COUNTY
“ROCKET” AFTERSCHOOL (Grades K-8)
Purpose of Program
The purpose of ROCKET Afterschool is to provide students a free-of-cost safe and enriching environment to support students’ academic growth, health, and developmental needs. ROCKET stands for “Reaching Our County’s Kids through Enrichment Time.” Housed at Rush Strong School (RSS) in Jefferson County, the program is funded through a partnership with the Department of Education’s 21st Century grant, the University of Tennessee Extension (Jefferson County), and the University of Tennessee.
The overall goal of 21st Century grant is to provide Tennessee students with academic enrichment opportunities that complements their regular academic program and provides supportive services to help students and their families thrive.
We encourage you to view the “See what’s happening in afterschool” tab for the latest updates, program highlights, and what you can expect your child to be involved in afterschool!
Objectives
Research suggests that quality afterschool programs improve students’ academic performance, homework completion, regular school-day attendance and participation in class, and reduce behavioral disruptions. Our program is backed by the latest research in education, and it guided by the following objectives:
1. Safety and Structure – offer a safe environment with an organized daily routine to support students academically and developmentally;
2. Academic Growth – deliver academic support and hands-on, problem-based enrichment opportunities to students in a variety of subject areas to enhance regular school-day achievement;
3. Empower – energize students through the integration of resiliency-building practices to promote their social and emotional health and decision-making skills;
4. Family Engagement – in collaboration with the University of Tennessee Extension and several community partnerships, engage families with enriching family-centered events in the areas of nutrition, financial health, emotional wellness, education, and more.
5. Rigorous Assessment and Evaluation – track student growth in academics, attendance, and behavioral regulation to evaluate program impact and guide future direction;
6. Ongoing Professional Development – provide supportive resources and evidence-based training to enhance staff competence and confidence in the delivery of afterschool program content.
Who We Serve
The program is open to Kindergarten through 8th (K-8th) grade students.
Program Structure
Each day, we offer:
- Homework help & tutoring
- Enrichment Activities *see the “See What’s Going On” tab for more information.
- Nutritious Snack
- Physical Activity
Program Schedule
Our program is open from September through May. For closures, see the “Calendar” tab below.
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday, 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Daily Schedule
3:30 – 3:45 PM ….. Snack
3:45 – 4:30 PM ….. Homework Help and Tutoring
4:30 – 5:45 PM ….. Enrichment
5:45 PM/ 6:00 PM ….. Dismissal / Parent Pick-Up
Transportation and Student Pick-Up
No transportation is provided as part of the program. Official pick up time is 5:45 – 6:00 PM. Parents/guardians or an authorized party must come into school to sign the student out.