Turns out camping, learning table manners and academic improvement have something in common: all are things kids in New Iberia have had a chance to do at the Mayor’s After School Program at City and West End Parks.

Preparations for another year of the program, set to begin Monday, are gearing up.

“This is our fourth year, and we’re getting better and better at it. ... It’s something that we’re very proud of. It’s impacted a lot of kids in a lot of good ways,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tony Migues.

From left, Parks and Recreation Director Tony Migues, assistant superintendent Heather Dominique, Program Director Krystal Boyance and Academic Coordinator Mona Bernhardt talk shop prior to the first day of the Mayor's After School Program. The four-year-old-program starts Monday. Mary Catharine Martin / The Daily Iberian Advertisement

Last year, 188 kids participated in the program. There are 40 kids registered for this year’s program, but Migues said that is more than at this time any year previously.

Many kids start soon after their first report card or progress report.

The program focuses on homework help, tutoring, recreation and mentoring. It also focuses on LEAP and iLEAP tests preparation. 

Homework help is a 4-1 student-to-instructor ratio; tutoring is 1-to-1.

Academic coordinator and retired teacher Mona Bernhardt helps with tutoring and homework, motivational speakers and extra programs, like the one last year to teach kids table manners and table setting or to an orchard in Coteau to pick peaches during the summer camp.

“It just lit up my world,” Bernhardt said.

“They were so excited (to pick peaches) ... that was just a beautiful experience.”

This year, parents are required to attend a man-datory two-hour meeting prior to their child attending the program.

Assistant Superintendent Heather Dominique said the meetings, which will be held at least twice a month throughout the school year to accommodate rolling admissions, reiterate the need for parental involvement.

To help foster that throughout the year, parents are being asked to help out in some capacity for two hours a month, doing anything from serving snacks to helping with fundraising.

“They (parents) still need to check the work,” Dominique said. “This is a bridge to help parents with their kids.”

Program Director Krys-tal Boyance said at the first meeting with parents on Wednesday, parents of returning children discussed how kids made friends through the program that they would not have otherwise.

“I think we do a lot with the social aspect of everything,” Boyance said, mentioning the annual camping trip, Mother’s Day social, Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas party.

As far as day to day recreation, Boyance said this year will be structured somewhat like physical education, with focuses on sports like football and basketball.

Kids also will have a chance to learn sports like pickleball and take advantage of the newly installed chess tables at City Park.

Field trips are earned through good performance and good behavior, with the exception of a planned trip this year to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

The program runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday at City and West End parks and is open to kids in grades first through 12th.

Transportation is offered at some schools, but not all, starting Aug. 31.

The program costs $25 a month.

Call 369-2337 for more information.