THE COLUMN
All Together in After-School
By Joy Campbell, Director of Trinity Neighborhood and Camp Programs
Trinity Neighborhood is more than a place for students to go once the bell rings—it’s a vibrant community where learning and faith meet. I like to think of it as a melting pot, where students of all Lower School ages come together, united as one. For parents, this is a reliable haven, and for students, it’s a place to feel safe, grow, and belong. Together, we work toward a single goal: giving God the glory in everything we do.
Trinity students work together in after-school to make the time meaningful. Each day before snack, a different student leads their group in prayer. For our students in grades 4–6, we also introduce a Bible Verse of the Day, helping them connect faith to daily life. Our dedicated team ensures that students grow by living out the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, while learning to discern right from wrong.
During after-school, the children often meet peers they may not have interacted with during regular school hours, giving them the chance to form new friendships and step out of their comfort zones. I’ve seen students start the program feeling shy, but after just a week, they gain a sense of security and belonging. These relationships allow students to learn from one another and grow together. In fact, one of the hardest parts of the day for after-school workers is getting students to leave, because the children are always eager to stay when their parents arrive. Ashley Cade, parent of third grader Will Cade, says, “Home is one of his favorite places because he gets to relax and be on his iPad. But when I come to pick him up to take him home, he doesn’t want to leave after-school.”
Here in Trinity Neighborhood, we are deeply grateful for Trinity teachers who go the extra mile for their students all day long, whether it’s playing a game, doing a craft, or staying behind in the classroom for one-on-one time. Yet the involvement of other students makes our afternoons especially rich. Each year, Upper School students volunteer in Trinity Neighborhood, assisting the children with homework or just spending quality time with them. Additionally, some fifth and sixth grade after-school students lend a helping hand to the children in the younger grades (TK–1), whether by reading to them, tying shoes, or helping our assistant, Mrs. Leslie Alkins, with other tasks. These acts of kindness provide vital academic support for our children. “Mrs. Leslie” has been a cornerstone of Trinity Neighborhood for nine years, creating a loving, caring and protective environment where students feel safe. She shares, “I pray that I set an example for them through my actions, and that God guides me in how I speak and work with my kids. I try to be encouraging and loving so they will enjoy coming to after-school.”
