"It's a pilot program that
focuses (in part) on team
building," Rotary President Doug
Ruhlin said. "It's Don Bochicchio's
brain child."
As the superintendent of the Ocean
Township School District, Bochicchio
implemented an after school program that
he said is "very important to
us."
Third to sixth grade students ages 8
to 12 gather after school to participate
in a variety of supervised, free
activities.
"They're here and doing
something productive, something helpful
to them," Bochicchio said.
"They're not idle with nothing to
do."
Activities responsible for keeping
the kids busy include a new ropes course
monitored by trained teachers, a Young
Einstein Club that helps with state
testing, floor hockey, basketball,
camera club, a yearbook program,
intergenerational counsel and theater
and arts among many others.
The program is free and particularly
appealing to parents because
transportation home is provided.
More than 10 years old, the program
productively involves children in an
attempt to build their self-esteem and
provide them with life skills.
Hundreds of students are involved in
the after school program as well as
15-20 teachers, Bochicchio estimated.
"The program has gained momentum
over the years," Bochicchio said,
crediting funds from the Municipal
Alliances, New Jersey Character
Education, Board of Education and the
Forked River Rotary Club with the
success of the program.
"It's a nice combination of
support," he said.
The Rotary donation will be used to
pay teachers for their after school
efforts as well as to build a shed for
the new ropes course equipment.
"I have never seen a school
administrator as loved as Don Bochicchio,"
Ruhlin said.
