Raymond Learning Enrichment Afterschool Program Students Take Part in Recycling Competition

RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy and Youth Program Development Coordinator Patrick Arsenault are pleased to announce Raymond students in the Learning Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) are participating in a recycling competition to help recognize afterschool programs nationwide.

Students are participating in honor of the “Light’s On! After School” celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, an annual event organized by the Afterschool Alliance to bring awareness to the importance of after school programs nationwide and how they promote the safety and development of young students across the US.

LEAP provides services for 50 Raymond Lamprey River Elementary and Iber Holmes Gove Middle School students. The program, which was implemented by LRES Site Coordinator Lisa Rush, begins once school has ended for the day and operates until 5:45 p.m. for IHGMS students and 6 p.m. for LRES students. The programs hours have been extended this school year to assist working families during the pandemic.

For the next six months, students in the LEAP program will be partnering with the Trex Recycling Program to try and collect a goal of 500 pounds of soft plastic recyclable materials. A special recycling bin for these materials, which include grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags and other types of plastic wrappers, will be placed in the LRES playground has been placed near the gym doors and will be out each day until LEAP ends at 6 p.m. A container that will be accessible 24/7 will be placed in front of the school soon.

If students are able to collect 500 pounds of recyclable materials, Trex will donate a bench to the school.

“Our students get a lot out of this program and we are glad to be able to offer them this additional academic support and enrichment program after the school day has ended,” Arsenault said. “We hope you support our cause and drop off some of your recyclables in our container.”

The district asks that any items dropped off be cleaned or sanitized to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

For a full list of materials that can be recycled, click here.

“I’m incredibly proud of our young students for taking on a project that helps to give back to our community and help the environment,” Superintendent McCoy said. “This project, along with the other enrichment activities they do while at LEAP, does a great job at helping them to become responsible, conscientious citizens.”

There are still spots available on all days at both sites. If you are interested in enrolling your child in LEAP, you can email Patrick Arsenault at p.arsenault@sau33.com to receive more details.

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