Tiger Time is coming to T.J. Harris Upper Elementary.

The school will offer an after school program for two days a week starting the first week of October, according to Jeffery Blackmon, the school’s principal.

The program will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 – 5 p.m., and snacks and transportation will be provided to students who ride the bus. 

Blackmon said the program will give students a place to learn once the school day has ended, and hopes it will give them time to do homework or to participate in clubs. 

The program will also provide extra attention to students with certain needs. 

During the program, students will have a snack, then have club time, then work on  academic skills. Blackmon said kids will go to their designated academic areas based on the results from the i-Ready tests.

The program will be different from the classroom because clubs will be offered, and students will be encouraged to form new clubs based on their interests. That will create an opportunity for teachers to start clubs that students like. 

“To match students with teachers,” said Blackmon.

Fifth grader George Townsend said he is excited about the after school program, because he’d like to join a club where he can play video games. Blackmon said students like Townsend are reasons why the program is needed at T.J. Harris.

Through the program, Blackmon hopes students will become better readers, and feel like they fit in at the school as well. 

Blackmon said he doesn’t want to sell his kids short. He wants to give them the same opportunity kids at other schools get. Even though the program has not started yet, he is still excited for what changes it will bring. 

“I want to change from school being done to me, to being school is for me,” said Blackmon.

In addition to T.J. Harris, Parkview is starting an after school program as well.