Our program provides a stimulating and educational atmosphere and emphasizes a Japanese bilingual/bicultural perspective throughout the program. This is important for helping Japanese newcomer children as they grow up in this country and also for instilling pride and understanding of cultural heritage in Japanese-American children.

Program Features

• A curriculum that integrates Japanese language, computers, multicultural themes, creative arts, language arts, science and math
• Community involvement, social and recreational opportunities
• Creative movement/improvisational classes on-site and opportunities to take taiko, music, Karate, etc. classes at the nearby Community Center.
• Tutoring and homework assistance
• Cooking and nutritional snacks

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 8:45am, 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

Dates: End of August through early June.

Transportation: There is bus service to/from the NLF After School Program location (Sutter at Laguna) from the following schools:

Alamo Elementary School
Argonne Alternative
Claire Lilienthal Alternative
Clarendon Alternative
JBBP at Rosa Parks
Roof Top Alternative
Sherman Elementary School
Spring Valley Science Magnet School

There are morning pick-ups from the NLF Before School Program (at the After School Program stop located at Sutter and Laguna) for the following schools:

Argonne Alternative
Clarendon Alternative

History of the After School Program

The After School Program developed from the original preschool-aged program on Bush Street. As the children left the preschool-aged program, parents were concerned with finding quality after school care for their school-aged children. Thus a group of parents and staff members formed a committee to look into the possibility of opening an after school program which was similar in philosophy to our preschool program. Through the effort of this group, our After School Program became a reality in 1979.

After School Program Goals and Objectives

• Develop the child in all areas (cognitive, social, emotional and physical)
• Emphasize non-racist and non-sexist ideas
• Encourage children to participate in all kinds of activities regardless of sex
• Foster a sense of ethnic pride through themes and activities about different nationalities
• Encourage self-confidence and cooperation in work and play
• Increase the use of English in Japanese speaking children
• Increase the use and understanding of Japanese language and culture for non-Japanese speaking children through music, calligraphy, arts and crafts and other activities
• Broaden children's interests and help them to be open to try new and different things, activities and ideas
• Socially be able to verbalize differences and communicate with peers
• Involve the children in both large and small group activities to help them be able to function in both settings
• Reinforce what children are learning in their regular elementary school program through related activities and lessons in reading, math, writing skills and science
• Identify signs of possible distress before the child actually has a problem, e.g. extreme passiveness in a child and identifying and dealing with unexpected problems as they arise

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