MASON — When the last bell rings at Mason Intermediate School, fifth-grader Kristian Ogungbemi and her friends head to the cafeteria instead of the buses.

Students (from left) Graeme Guinup, Paul Hackman, Shinya Michimi and Jacob Vanwinkle play cards during Mason Intermediatešs extended care program. (Michael Snyder photos) | ZOOM |

        They are among more than 70 fourth- through sixth-graders who are part of a new after-school extended-care and homework club. For three hours after every school day, students finish their homework and then get to compete in sports, play board games and dance to music.

        “If I wasn't here, I'd be probably at home watching TV,” 9-year-old Kristian said. “Here I get to be with my best friends.”

        Since school started Sept. 3, program director Kim Dunnigan said, there have been few complaints to spending nearly an hour each night on homework. Paid aides move from table to table to help students.

        If students get done before homework club time is over, they must sit quietly and sketch or read a book or magazine, she said.

        The rest of the time is more flexible.

        “These kids are all fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders and are on the borderline to go home to an empty house,” Mrs. Dunnigan said. “Here, they have a safe environment and kids to play with. ... But they don't want to be babied, so we give them a little more freedom.”

        The students are too old for the quickly filled latchkey program the district runs, she said.

        Sonja Gordon said she likes the convenience of not having her 10-year-old daughter Aubrey bused to another location and the academic help the aides provide.

        “It's great,” said the 34-year-old mother of two.

        Other Greater Cincinnati schools offer similar programs.

        Norwood City Schools started their after-school homework clubs two years ago for all grade levels. For at least one hour, students commit to work on homework or participate in reading or science enrichment labs, said Susan Kumpf-Miller, project director for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

        “We've had really positive feedback,” she said.

        Mason Schools and other after-school programs, like the enrichment program at Western Row and Mason Intermediate, will be starting up in the coming weeks. In past years, sessions have focused on cooking, building rockets and magic.

        “It's not tutoring — it's just a chance to learn something you might not have otherwise learned,” Mrs. Dunnigan said.

        The cost of the program is $50 a week for the first family member and $45 for each additional brother or sister. For more information, call 229-4425.

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