SHELBURNE FALLS — Because of an anonymous donation, a new after-school program in either robotics or music for grades 3 through 6 in Mohawk Trail Regional School District will be available this fall.
The new program is being funded with a $50,000 donation. After next year, it would be funded through grants, according to the school district.
“This incredibly generous donation will help us continue to build an innovative after-school program at Mohawk bursting with educational enrichment opportunities for our upper elementary students,” said Superintendent Michael A. Buoniconti.
The donation will cover all costs for the new program, including instructors and materials, said After Care Program Director Alia Woofenden.
In the music program that is being considered, students would be provided with rental instruments at no cost to families. If the district goes with the robotics program, the funding will be used for Lego robotics kits and computer programs for learning to code.
Parents will be surveyed on which program they would prefer, Woofenden said. She expects to make a decision by April and to have sign-ups for students by June.
Part of the intent for the new program is to provide more opportunities for students who do not play sports, Woofenden said. “We’re looking to get to those other kids who may not have an afterschool community,” she said.
This winter, Mohawk is offering afterschool programs in jewelry-making, learning to sew and a simplified version of Dungeons and Dragons. New this year are after-school programs held at the high school, with busing for elementary students.