BOULDER — Residents here are trying to save their beloved after-school program at Boulder Elementary School.

Last week brought good news, when the Jefferson County Commission awarded a $15,000 metal-mines grant that allows the 21st Century Community Learning Center’s doors to remain open for summer.

Children in the program seem oblivious to budgets. One recent afternoon found some doing homework. Others chose to do painting, or robotics, gardening, quilting, hat making or basket weaving.

But these choices may not be here this fall. The program’s five-year federal grant ends in June.

Although the program has re-applied for funding, officials won’t hear a decision until July.

And because the program has been funded through the grant for five years, it is now only eligible for 60 percent of what has been a $105,000 budget.

At the center of a swirl of kids and activity is program director Mary Ellen Earnhardt. But the kids and the community are the heart of the program .

It’s not uncommon to hear Earnhardt say, “I love these kids,” as she talks about the program and its future. The love appears mutual. Last year 90 percent of the student body participated in the program for at least 30 days.

And a stack of support letters grows on Earnhardt’s desk — testimony by parents, children and community members about what the program means to them.

One boy Earnhardt introduced to robotics — computer programming of robots — was so swept away, he didn’t want to go home, even though it was 8 p.m.

If the school district had the money, the program would be a top priority, said school board member Sabrina Steketee. However, it doesn’t have the money.

For the third year in a row, the district is reducing staff for regular programming to meet its budget.

“It’s a miserable position to be in,” said Steketee. “They (the federal and state government) created a great program in Boulder through Mary Ellen, who ran with it. But then with the funding — they cut you off at the knees. I’m flabbergasted.”

Meanwhile staff and community members are grantwriting and holding fundraisers (see box on page 6C).

Earnhardt threw the doors wide open, inviting community members to teach classes. And she takes the children on numerous adventures into the community and the forests and towns around it.

The kids and the community feel a lot of pride in “all the cool stuff” happening at the school, Steketee said.

“For a community like Boulder, that’s pretty big.”

Recently, students in the program led historical tours of the county and Comet Ghost Town. They planted a community garden downtown, helped with Earth Day community cleanups, and made a movie featuring local business owners that was shown at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner.

The program has brought technology to the school, purchasing movie-making equipment, digital cameras, robotics equipment and laptop computers.

The tools and skills are shared with the whole school and the high school.

Students visited museums, hiked the forests, fished the streams, swam at Boulder Hot Springs and learned to scuba dive, snowshoe and ski.

Guests come from around the world — African dancers, artists from the Montana Artists Refuge and scientists from NASA.

“It changes children’s lives,” wrote one parent.

Another wrote, “My daughter is learning how to play the piano. This year she played the piano in the Christmas program without using sheet music.”

For most of these children, the 21st Century program is their only opportunity to take dance or piano lessons or to even learn to sew.

A lot of parents “are just scraping by,” said Billie Rudolph, Boulder Elementary School secretary. “We’re a poor town in the middle of the county.”

Parents work long hours and often aren’t home after school.

“I could tell you lots of stories,” Rudolph said. “One of the things I remember most was one of the years that we had a child in junior high. He was not in the ‘in’ group.”

Through the 21st Century summer program, the boy learned to make movies. Later during the school year, the students were assigned to make a movie, and suddenly his skills were much in demand.

“All of a sudden he had other kids coming to him.” These exchanges blossomed into acceptance and friendships.

“I’ve seen that time and again,” Rudolph said.

Community members feel welcome, she added. After school they come to share their skills, whether it be art, dance, quilting or candle making.

“I am just amazed at the community support and caring for the students,” said Earnhardt.

And the program’s made a difference in the classrooms, say teachers.

JoAnn Dupler and Cam Warfle praise the homework and tutoring help offered before and after school.

“They work well hand-in-hand with the teachers to provide assistance with the children in our room,” said Dupler, who teaches third grade. “They work with them on spelling words, reading and math.”

And they help with the larger social studies projects requiring added adult guidance.

“She’s brought Battle of the Books to the school to spark their interest in reading,” said Warfle. Students now participate in Academic Olympics and the summer reading program.

The programs aren’t just for the kids, either.

There are parenting classes and career exploration for adults, as well as quilting, fly tying, jewelry making and basket weaving.

And local business owners, such as Belva Lotzer of Tizer Gardens, learned to use a laptop and Power Point to make business presentations.

Earnhardt sees the program as a way to open the door for students to a world of opportunity. A way “to give this community hope.”

Recently, a national career-development expert shared with local educators and parents advice through the program on helping children plan their careers. And for some of the parents, it opened their eyes to possibilities, as well.

As one mother listened to how her 14-year old son could begin planning his career, she said, “You mean, I could go to school and get funding.”

And for this child it’s not only possible career options that will make a difference in his life.

“He’s never been to a movie theater,” said Earnhardt. “This week is his birthday and I’m taking him to the movie theater.”

Fundraiser details

-Friday, April 25

-Boulder Elementary School Gym, 205 S. Washington

- Potluck 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Local musicians will play!

- Dance 6:30 to 10 p.m. with the AM String Band and caller Mark Matthews

- Battle of the Book questions and prizes: “Listening for Lions” by Gloria Whelan. Dress up as your favorite character!

- Contact Mary Ellen Earnhardt, 225-3316, ext. 100.

Program facts

68 percent of the Boulder Elementary School students receive free or reduced lunches.

Program enrollment has varied from 59 to 91 percent over the past five years.

47 similar programs exist in Montana.

Mission statement: “The mission of the 21st Century Community Learning Center is to build a successful after school program, which will improve students’ academic achievement, strengthen social skills, build bridges that connect the community with the school, provide opportunities for parents and the community to become more effective partners in their children’s education and install community pride….”

Reporter Marga Lincoln: 447-4074 or marga.lincoln@helenair.com.