A new year has started for the Cheatham Achievers after-school program.

The Cheatham County School District offers the program in the three middle schools through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. 

In 2014, the district was awarded the three-year, $600,000 grant to implement the program at Cheatham, Harpeth and Sycamore middle schools.

Emily Staggs, who supervises the program, said, “We are excited to offer this program for the third year. The district has enjoyed much success since we started the program. Many students have benefitted from the academic, artistic and cultural enrichment activities that are provided.”

The program offers opportunities for students to explore, develop and strengthen their academic skills.

In addition, students participate in art, music and recreation programs, character education programs and field trips to reinforce and complement the regular academic program. Guest speakers are also invited to speak to the students on a wide range of subjects.

Students receive a daily snack and are provided with transportation home each day. 

The 2016-2017 program started on Monday, Sept. 26, and each school celebrated with a Parent Night on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Cherie Bourne serves as the site director at Cheatham Middle School, Kelly Cook at Sycamore Middle School and Cindy Wells at Harpeth Middle School.

Staggs said the site directors have a number of fun activities planned for the year.

​“In October, we are learning about mummies and pyramids and we will be having mummy wrapping races, building pyramids out of marshmallows and mummifying apples. In November, we are learning about Native Americans. We have some great Native American guest speakers. In December, we are reading the book, Punished, and we will learn about puns and other language skills,” she said.