Thanks to the “Lights On Afterschool!” grant funded by the DPS Foundation, Lincoln Elementary School has begun its “Light up Lincoln” program.

Lincoln Elementary students have the opportunity to attend various after school workshops including a Harmonica Class in conjunction with the “Blues in the Schools” project, Shakespeare Club, Jump Rope with Math and a Tiles Art Project. The purpose of the “Light up Lincoln” program is to provide enrichment activities for children in a safe after school environment.

“By creating a partnership with community groups, Lincoln can help children learn about music, art, drama and exercise and children learn to make the right choices in their lives,” said teacher Nancy Gregorio.

To kick off the program, the Colorado BLUES Society provided all of the students at Lincoln with a wonderful assembly performed by BLUES member, Dan Treanor, and other members of the society. The students loved learning about the wonderful history of the Blues, which began nearly 400 years ago. Children experienced the music, the history, the stories, the geography and the rhythms of the Blues.

“It’s great to work with community members like Mike Golden from the Colorado BLUES Society, who helped coordinate this project with Lincoln,” said Gregorio. “Lincoln Elementary staff and children are looking forward to working with other community groups in the future to provide Lincoln students with after school enrichment programs thanks to the funds provided by the DPS Foundation grant.”

The Harmonica Blues class is held on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. through Feb. 28 for students from four through 10 years old. In addition to Treanor, teachers Fran West, Jennifer Rogers and Nancy Gregorio supervise the group.

The Tile Art Class will begin Tuesday, Feb. 24 and will be held on every Tuesday through May 4. This project is in conjunction with Barbara Barnhart from Young Audiences.

The Shakespeare Club will be held on Thursdays and run in conjunction with the DPS Shakespeare Festival. This club is led by Lincoln teacher Joan Byrne and paraprofessional Kathy Rozmiarek.

The after school programs are free, although each student is asked for a $1 “commitment fee” that will be returned in the form of a party at the end of the sessions.

For more information, please call Lincoln Elementary School at 303-744-1785. The school is located at 710 S. Pennsylvania St.