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Tuesday, while East St. Louis School District 189 teachers were walking the picket line, DaJanae Jackson was dissecting a frog for the very first time. She was able to because Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Program is providing a safe place for students to come, learn and engage while teachers are out on strike.

“I hate the fact that our school is out because of a strike,” said Jackson, a junior at East St. Louis Senior High School and Upward Bound EC student. “But I’ve been coming to Upward Bound since the 9^th grade, and I think it’s great that they are involved with us academically by opening their doors during the day.”

The SIUE Upward Bound BEM/EC Program at the SIUE East St. Louis Center is a college preparatory program that provides free tutoring and other quality services to prepare students for success. Students meet after school during the school year and all day during the summer months. The program serves students in the following school districts: East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC) and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM).

With the East St. Louis school district on strike, the Upward Bound staff is picking students up at 10 a.m. to have them at the East St. Louis Center from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is providing students with a lunch. Students may leave at 1 p.m. and are transported home at that time, or they may stay until the normal Upward Bound program begins from 3:30-5:30 p.m. While the numbers have varied each day, 10 students came out Tuesday.

“It’s important to open our doors to students, because it gives them a secure place to go to as well as an opportunity to participate in our enrichment program,” said Javonda Quinn, program director for the Upward Bound BEM and EC. “It also offers an opportunity for those students who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to participate in Upward Bound to sample what we are about.”  

“It gives me something to do instead of just sitting around the house,” said Amyah Thornton, a junior at East St. Louis High and Upward Bound EC student. “I’ve never dissected a frog before. It’s disturbing, but at the same time – fun.”

“Coming here is keeping me out of trouble and having me do something positive,” said Michael Mahon Jr., a sophomore at East St. Louis High and Upward Bound EC student.

Keeping students occupied is something that is both smart and needed, said Muhammad Raqib, Upward Bound BEM interim counselor.

“By coming here they are getting important academic enrichment, educational workshops and various life and social skills development training that will ultimately prepare them for their futures,” Raqib said. 

Taking on the additional workload of offering day classes to students has been challenging, said Quinn.

“It has impacted our program, but it’s been worth it,” Quinn added. “We have other programs here at the ESLC pitching in and helping as well. For instance, Candice Johnson, Upward Bound Math and Science teacher, is teaching our science classes. The math and science program has allowed us to utilize some of their supplies, like their frogs.”

SIUE East St. Louis Center: With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals—from pre-school through adult—in the Metro East region.  The Center offers programs that give the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. It does so by providing comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.

Photos:

DaJanae Jackson, left, and Amyah Thornton, both juniors at East St. Louis Senior High School, enjoy a lunch break during their day classes at Upward Bound.

Trying their hands at dissecting a frog are East St. Louis Senior High School students Terrez Wells, (left) junior and Michael Mahon Jr., sophomore.

Looking into the matter are Jameela Tidwell (left) and Molicia Hammond, both sophomores at East St. Louis Senior High.

Muhammad Raqib, (center) Upward Bound BEM interim counselor, explains a concept of the Upward Bound Program to Jakaurya Wilson (left) and Touncho Wallace (right).