Welcome to the Expanded Learning Program offered by the Mark Twain Unified School District! Our program has been dedicated to providing enriching opportunities for student growth and development. We are thrilled to offer the Expanded Learning Programs at Copperopolis Elementary and Mark Twain Elementary. Students range from TK to 6th grade.

At Mark Twain Union Elementary School District, we utilize various spaces on campus, including classrooms and multi-purpose rooms, to host a diverse range of engaging activities as part of our Expanded Learning Program. Our aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment that fosters holistic development for all our students.

Creating a safe and supportive environment is our top priority as we strive to cultivate both academic excellence and personal growth. With this objective in mind, we offer a rich array of educational and enrichment programs meticulously designed to enhance student success. These programs work together harmoniously, nurturing the growth and development of every student. The key components of our program include:

Sign-In: After school dismissal, students proceed directly to the Expanded Learning Program to check-in, ensuring a smooth transition from their regular school day to our program. This process maintains an organized and structured environment while prioritizing safety. By having students report directly to the program, we can effectively track attendance, ensuring that all students are accounted for and promoting their safety and well-being. Additionally, it allows us to promptly address any safety concerns or emergencies that may arise as we have an accurate record of all students present in the program.

Homework: We recognize the importance of academic support. Our dedicated Site Coordinators, along with ELP Tutors, are available to provide individual assistance and guidance in a quiet and welcoming environment. They support students with their assignments and academic needs, ensuring that each student receives the necessary help to succeed academically. We strive to accommodate the unique learning needs of every student and foster a positive attitude towards learning.

Physical Activity: Our comprehensive program incorporates physical activity into our daily schedule. These activities are thoughtfully designed to engage students in fun and active experiences that promote physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, and overall well-being. Our structured physical activities, including active play, sports, and exercises, are carefully planned and organized to ensure that students have the opportunity to actively participate, learn new skills, and develop their physical fitness. By providing regular physical activity, we not only offer a refreshing break for students who have been engaged in academic work all day but also foster healthy lifestyles, promote active learning, and facilitate the building of positive relationships with their peers. Our goal is to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among our students, supporting their physical development alongside their academic and personal growth.

Snack: We understand the significance of proper nourishment for optimal learning, which is why we provide a light afternoon snack to every student. Our carefully selected snack options are designed to promote health and well-being, prioritizing nutritious choices that support healthy eating habits and the overall well-being of our students.

Enrichment: Our Expanded Learning Program offers daily enriching activities across various subjects, including STEAM, project-based learning, literacy, and citizen science. We prioritize hands-on learning to foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. Through real-world challenges and group projects, students enhance their academic knowledge and life skills. Our program integrates STEAM initiatives, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking through hands-on experiments, art, and engineering. Our holistic approach caters to each student's needs, fostering academic and social growth. Our goal is to promote collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills through meaningful enrichment activities, expanding horizons, and cultivating a lifelong love for learning.

School Site

 All students enrolled in the Expanded Learning program are expected to follow school and district behavior and attendance guidelines and homework expectations.  

BEHAVIOR:

­­­­Disciplinary Action will be taken for the following behaviors, to include, but not limited to:

1.       Unsafe Behavior

2.       Inappropriate/Offensive Language

3.       Repeated failure to follow rules and listen

4.       Deliberate destruction of property

5.       Fighting/Hands on another student

6.       Inappropriate social behavior

●        Staff will work with students and families to reinforce positive behavior and provide the necessary support for the student to be successful. 

●        Students receiving 3 Disciplinary Action Forms in one school year will result in dismissal. Parents will be notified of each offense and the number of offenses to date. 

●        Behaviors that will result in immediate disciplinary action, and may warrant immediate dismissal from the program include, but are not limited to: fighting, weapons, profanity, defiance, and substance abuse.

­­­ATTENDANCE: 

●        This IS NOT a drop-in program. Students are expected to utilize their spot in the program 5 days a week.  Students should not be picked up within the first hour.  

●        Early Release Forms must be on file for consistent schedules that result in absences i.e. extracurricular activities, medical appointments, or religious practices.

●        ALL absences must be communicated to the site coordinator prior to absence.

●        Lack of communication will result in your student being marked as unexcused.

●        Three unexcused absences in one trimester will result in dismissal from the program. (Definition of Unexcused Absence:  Student was in attendance during the school day, but absent from Expanded Learning after school without communication.)

 HOMEWORK:

●        The Expanded Learning program is designed to help students succeed academically, and refusal to do necessary assignments is an insufficient use of the homework hour. This behavior can and will result in a Disciplinary Action Form. 

●        Students are expected to work on homework during the homework hour. Any homework that is not finished during Expanded Learning needs to be completed at home. If no homework is assigned, students will participate in an educational activity for an hour. 

• ELOP Letter of Interest 2024-2025

• ELOP Registration Packet 24-25