By: Kaumudi Marathé

“Every child CAN!” say Linda McManus and Nancy Simpson, the founders of E3, Enrichment Educational Experiences (www.enrichmentkids.com). The women whose company provides after-school or integrated-day enrichment programs to 12 Los Angeles area schools, believe “every child is a scientist, an artist, a musician, a composer…”

Their after-school program got underway at LFCSA in April. The founders who aim to “inspire students by presenting programs that encourage investigating, discovering and creating” are positive about its success. They assure parents their kids will be “safe, taken care of and nurtured.”

Linda says, “We loved your school. We are very like-minded in terms of our visions for kids.” Nancy adds, “Kindergarten and first grade is our strength. They still believe, they still have imagination, there’s no cap on what they can achieve. It’s part of our job to make sure they have that power instilled in them.”

They see E3 not as a teaching program but as one that exposes children to different facets of the world. Their classes include art, science, geography, sports, pottery, and dance. The company was started in 1993 after their own experiences with their kids’ school. The idea was Nancy’s and Linda who had experience “finding solutions” as a compliance executive at CBS, developed the curriculum.

These warm, enthusiastic women balance friendship and business partnership with a positive, happy attitude to life and work. I talked with them about their program for LFCSA.

KM: What does the E 3 program consist of?

LM: Enriching and teaching are different things. In teaching you have an absolute that the kids have to know. In enriching you give them so much that they love to learn that product or investigate their love for it. Part of our mission is to help raise really well rounded people who want to be part of the community and understand it. This starts in kindergarten. You’ve got to look at the world through 5-year old eyes.

KM: How will our school space be used?

LM: You are very lucky. Your school has a great space. We see it being defined as studios so kids know exactly where they are going and what to do: an artists’ studio, a science area, comfy areas.

NS: To make that space feel not so big so we will have pockets of activities.

LM: We also believe in having the best and the proper tools and supplies. It’s all hands-on. We provide all the tools, whether they are violins or microscopes.

NS: For safety, we need more control, and a more inviting area for parents. They will enter from the front of the auditorium into a comfortable lobby, with the kids’ cubbies and artwork. Even though we will be working in one room, staff will have walkie-talkies for communication. Parents will sign kids out. Kids will use the front bathrooms and not go there alone. They won’t be by the back gate at all.

KM: How will their time be structured?

LM: They gather for Current Event Time, to tie them together, get them working together. Then we discuss what they will do at each station; there is a demonstration and Q&A before they go to their separate activities in groups (red, yellow, blue, etc.) for 15-20 minute rotations. They will have outdoor and snack time too.

NS: Beach Time is our relaxing time. We have mats; they can bring beach towels. We put on classical or beach music and we “go” places! After that, there is a Young Authors Time where we promote writing and doing book reports, assessing books. The program has a monthly theme; there are monthly performances or events like a Grandparents’ Tea, Art Show, etc.

KM: How will the program be customized for LFCSA?

LM: Every school has a personality. We try to match our staff and their skills with that. We survey teachers; tweak the curriculum according to what works and the kids’ needs.

NS: We offer some special classes within the program, taught by our staff or outside vendors. We are partnering with Urban Farming (www.urbanfarming.org) for a program where the kids grow a garden, harvest the produce and give it to the homeless or to someone needy in the community. You have sections of land that we can grow great produce in.

Part of our philosophy is to give back to the community. Each month, at all our schools, the kids do something for the community. It empowers them, they take pride in it.

KM: How will the program vary for kindergarteners and first graders?

NS: We want first graders to have age-appropriate enrichment. At Los Feliz, we are thinking of separate music and art classes. We’re working out the details.

KM: Will there be parent participation?

LM: In our BEAR (Be Excited About Reading) Program, parents share books. In Air Enrichment they share their culture. We set up chairs as if we are on a plane, the teachers are flight attendants, and the kids take a trip: to Greece, to Italy. It’s great! Parents wear traditional clothing, talk about dance, music, food. They can help with gardening too. And we have Career Week where parents talk about their professions.

NS: We just ask that for the first month of school, parents don’t come in because kids are adjusting. Once they are settled, everybody can get involved.

KM: Tell me about your staff.

NS: We take time to find the right people. They have an intense in-service training, a 3-hour training every month and a week’s training before the school year starts. They learn about the curriculum and about team building, creative thinking and positive communication. We are licensed under Social Services so it’s a pretty rigorous procedure before staff can work with the kids.

KM: What is your approach to “discipline” and conflict resolution?

LM: Discipline is part of growth. To have freedom to make discoveries, kids need some order. We believe in positive reinforcement. Kids are bombarded with instructions all day so we go the other way, we almost whisper because that really gets their attention. Again it’s about balancing their day. They have been saturated with information and they need to have fun.

NS: We believe in resolving conflict through finding out a child’s needs and meeting them. Usually when a child acts up, they need something. We find out what and talk it through to make sure they understand the situation.

KM: How will you use Cool Tools?

NS: We will all be training in Cool Tools. Words are our most important tools. They can make or break a child. Our words must be building words, not tear-down words. Our staff is trained in this. It is one our company’s 8 Keys of Excellence.