May 7 will be an opportunity for Molalla Elementary teachers to visit the program and see what their students are doing and creating in the after school hours.

SOAR is a 21st Century Community Learning Center Department of Education funded program operated by Molalla PAL and held for kindergarten to fifth grade Molalla Elementary students.

The purpose of the after school program is to provide educational and enrichment classes that support school day learning and positively impact school test scores.

“It has been neat to see my students making connections from what they learn in SOAR to what we are learning in the school day,” said Molalla Elementary first grade teacher Leslie Johnson.

SOAR not only provides academic enrichment, but also an opportunity for students to improve and develop their social skills.

“One of my girls has been in SOAR for two terms now and her social skills have gotten so much better. SOAR provides an atmosphere that allows her to connect with other students,” said fourth grade teacher Jennifer Raethke.

First grade teacher Uli Sparks said, “I have one student who has benefited greatly through SOAR, her academics have improved as well as her social skills.”

The spring session of SOAR concludes on June 3 with an Open House from 5 6 p.m. that will showcase student work and is open to the public.

The summer session of SOAR will be held July 14 through Aug. 7, a Monday through Thursday program that is held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information on the Spring Open House, registering for the summer SOAR session, or donating to our “needs tree” please contact SOAR Program Coordinator, Kierstin Cabalka, at 503-473-2493 or by e-mail at soar@palkids.org.

Visit SOAR online at www.molallapal.org.