"I love this program," Sherri Schill said about the program offered at Butler Elementary School called Butler Blast.

Butler Blast is a program held right after school from 3:10 to 6:00. Students first meet in the school’s cafeteria and work on their homework while eating a snack provided by the program.

After finishing their snack, the students go to certain classes and take part in activities that were planned last summer. These activities the students take part in are designed to help them with math skills, reading skills, and science skills. On certain days they learn Spanish, Physical Education, art, cooking culture studies, etc.

Occasionally, the school brings in special performers to entertain the children. An example would be a magician that recently came in and carry out a performance for the students there.

"There are at least 100-120 kids at Butler Blast each night," Mike Woodall, the principle of Butler School said. "It’s a place where kids and stay after school if their parents aren’t home along with getting extra help."

"This is not a drop in program either," Schill also stated. "These students come everyday after school."

The students are taught by teachers at the school who stay after to help, along with the help of some volunteer high school and college students. Laura McCarty, high school orchestra teacher, teaches music at butler blast.

Butler School is given a grant called the 21st Century Grant to have Butler Blast allowing the program to continue for five years. The reason Butler was given this grant is because the school has more than 70 percent of the students at free or reduced lunch. But the grant isn’t the only thing funding Butler Blast. Butler Blast is also funded by donations given by local businesses along with an annual concert.

If any high school students want to help out at the Butler Blast program contact Schill at Butler school.

"We would love any help from the high school students and I would gladly write recommendations," Schill said.