By Mary Beth Marino

Nellyn Van Os is teaching “after school kids” at Christ the King about commitment.

“After school kids,” as they are fondly referred to, are children who take part in a program offered by the Cathedral parish in Atlanta. The program is for children from pre-school through grade school whose parents work full time. Most of the children come from a single parent home. All are members of Christ the King parish.

Nellyn is not the only teacher in the program. She interviews and hires eighth grade students, who are paid to help out.

Gus Merkle, 14, is a regular helper whose finesse with the younger kids, especially those who need a “big brother role model,” shows he gives the job his full attention and energy.

Nellyn came to Christ the King School two years ago. She was previously a teacher at Fayette County High School. Her small frame and gentle approach brook no monkey business when she is teaching the children.

“We all work together to set the standards of our program,” she said. “The kids set up the rules and the consequences of breaking those rules. We pick a new “head honcho” every month and it is his responsibility to see that all toys are picked up, snacks set-up and cleaned up after, and to be responsible for seeing to it that helpers do their job.”

“It’s called commitment and I try to teach them to live up to any commitment,” Nellyn explained.

The scene looks like this: after school ends, the children charge to the playground for an hour of play. Then they are scooted into their classroom to do homework in silence.

Khim La Monte, a nine-year-old fourth grader, bubbling with personality says, “I sure like coming to the after-school program. Nellyn is real nice and it’s better than a babysitter, or being home alone.”

Paula Valentine quickly agreed and added, “I’m in the third grade and I like my friends at the after-school-program. I also like getting my homework done so I can watch T.V. when I go home at night.”

There are a total of 35 children enrolled in the innovative program. The parents must pick them up by 6 p.m. each night. The new service is spreading; Nellyn has been called several times by people from other parishes requesting her advice on starting this unique program.

Children who are pre-school age come to school at 1:30 p.m. and stay as late as 6 p.m. The children who are in school stay after and attend the program from 3 to 6 p.m. Pre-first graders attending from 1:30-3 p.m. are charged $16 per week; students who attend from 1:30–6 p.m. are charged $29.50 per week; and those who attend after school from 3-6 p.m. are charged $23.50 per week.

Nellyn states, “I feel this program is very important. The children of single parents need to have a place to go after school where they are supervised, instead of going home to an empty house or staying alone.”

She hopes that this program becomes a part of all parishes. She feels the children really benefit from that structured time.

And they agree with her as they playfully romp around the playground, laughing, singing and happily participating in this innovative program.