LANSING, MI – School’s out and you’re looking for a way to keep your kids busy? Want them to have fun but not lose ground academically? There’s still time to enroll your youngsters in the Black Child and Family Institute’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program. BCFI has extended the enrollment deadline and there are still a limited number of slots available. But you better hurry, classes are filling up fast.

The BCFI program will begin Monday June 28, 2004. BCFI will provide an exciting program for students in the Greater Lansing area for grades kindergarten – 8th. The Summer Academic Enrichment Institute (SAEI) will offer small class instruction and tutoring for students Monday through Thursday starting at 9:00 am and ending at 3:00 pm.

There is instruction offered in reading, writing, math, science, computer applications, music, performance arts, cultural diversity and arts and crafts.

The tuition cost for the six-week Summer Institute is $100 for the first child and $50 for each additional child in a family.

“We normally offer the program free,” said Ernie Boone, BCFI Executive Director. “Due to funding cuts, we have to charge a fee this year.

“But no child will be left out of the program because of lack of money,” he said. “There are plenty of scholarships now available. We are in the midst of a fund raising drive and the community has been tremendous in its response. Parents should not let a lack of money keep them from enrolling their children.”

The after school tuition, which provides activities from 3:00 to 5:00 for those children whose parents work later is $60 for the first child and $30 for each additional child.

Participants will have an opportunity to attend field trips, perform science experiments, and engage in structured and non-structured recreational activities. Children enrolled in the Summer Institute will receive breakfast and lunch daily.

In addition to these opportunities, 7th and 8th graders will be given the chance to participate in an extension of the City of Lansing HOPE scholarship Program. This will continue the advanced academic development started during the school year.

Children participating in the Summer Institute are also eligible to attend cultural, educational and recreational elective classes after school. These classes are offered through the after school program that takes place during the same six week period, Monday – Thursday from 3:15 until 5:15 pm. Students in the after school program must be picked up by 5:30 pm daily.

The parents of students enrolled in the Summer Institute are required to attend one meeting. This mandatory meeting will be held on Thursday June 17, 2004 at 12:30 pm or 6:30 pm and will last for approximately 75 minutes. At this meeting parents will complete registration forms and submit student information for final processing. Instructors and the curriculum will be introduced and comments and concerns will be addressed. The selection of classes for the after school program will be made available at this parent meeting.

The Black Child and Family Institute welcomes diversity and extends an invitation to all students in the Mid Michigan area regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or disabilities.

Ron Menefee is an East Lansing High School Junior and a participant in the Young Publishers Club sponsored by the Michigan Bulletin which meets at the Magic Johnson Foundation Creation Station located at the Black Child and Family Institute - 835 W. Genesee, Lansing MI.