Chico Unified School District

BLAST is the CUSD Expanded Learning Program (After School Program) that provides elementary (1-5th grade), junior high, and high school students recreation, enrichment, and academic opportunities, every day after school.  Participating BLAST sites have trained staff members who offer a full service, enriched, and fun learning environment for all students.  Continuation of this program depends upon receipt of state and federal funding.

Important Attendance Information Elementary BLAST After School Program Registration

The grant BLAST is funded through has specific attendance criteria.  Daily attendance is expected every day school is in session with the exception of illness or medical appointments. It is the expectation that those enrolled in the program will adhere to the 2-hour daily attendance policy.  You are granted (1) day a week for an early release to another extracurricular activity.  Other weekly early releases, before 2 hours, may result in your child being dropped from the grant funded After School Program.

Click Here for English Elementary Family Handbook

BLAST is designed by staff trained in child development, education, and youth leadership.  BLAST creates a physically and emotionally safe environment conducive to learning while improving reading, writing, verbal, math, and social and communication skills.  At the elementary level programs are funded to serve approximately 90 students per school day. The junior high and high school programs serve approximately 110-150 per day.  BLAST provides a wide variety of opportunities for participating students.  BLAST program leaders and staff are fully trained in the program they deliver to students.  The BLAST staff is comprised of a diverse team of talented individuals; many are certificated teachers or college students.  Classroom teachers, CARD staff, and community partners round out the team that enjoy making a positive impact on our students.

Families with children enrolled in Chico Unified School District schools are eligible to apply if their school offers a BLAST program.  Currently, Fair View High School, Bidwell Jr, Chico Jr, and Marsh Jr High Schools, and Chapman, Citrus, Emma Wilson, John McManus, Little Chico Creek, Neal Dow, Parkview, and Rosedale Elementary Schools offer these programs.  BLAST is free to all participating families.  At many program sites, demand exceeds capacity; therefore, enrollment is based on need and compliance to the attendance policy.  Families will be contacted when they have been selected for an available opening.  Children who apply, but are not enrolled, will be placed on a wait list.  To be considered for enrollment, you must complete a BLAST After School Program online registration.  The links to register are posted on the BLAST webpage each spring for the following school year's program.  Links and registration is ongoing all year.  Registrations will be reviewed and prioritized based on a rating system as needed.  Please see below for information regarding CARD After School Programs at BLAST schools and non-BLAST CUSD Elementary Schools.

BLAST operates every regular school day. Parents/guardians may choose to have their child(ren) attend the before school and/or after school program.  Intersessions are offered at some BLAST sites during select school break days. 

BLAST begins operating after school is dismissed and remains open until 6 p.m. each day for a minimum of 15 hours per week.  Students are expected to attend every day for the full range of program hours.  Attendance is recorded every day usiing a barcode card scanning system.  Student's cards are scanned in and out each day.

BLAST offers up to 90 minutes of academic support to promote enthusiasm for learning and building skills in the areas of reading, math, writing, and science.  School principals work closely with community partners and program leaders to identify appropriate staff and to ensure that activities complement the regular school day curriculum.  This is the key to providing a comprehensive learning experience for every student.

Elementary-Students participate in a 40-minute physical activity lesson daily, known as Recreation.  BLAST strives to help students reach the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.  Leaders are trained in SPARK, an after school program physical education curriculum.  All staff are encouraged to attend 12 hours of SPARK training each year, facilitated by the CUSD SPARK Trainer. 

Students may participate in a variety of fun activities with their friends and peers including arts and crafts, learning how to play musical instruments, dance, writing and performing plays, athletics and educational games.  BLAST provides a safe place in school campuses where students can strengthen academic skills and participate in age-appropriate activities while improving social skills.

BLAST strives to serve all our CUSD Students within our After School Programs, below are some Demographics of BLAST Grant enrolled students who have attended 75% or more days of the After School Program in the 2020-2021 School year.

• Males-62%
• Females-37%
• Nonbinary-1%
• Percent of Students who are English Language Learners-5%
• Percent of Students who receive Special Ed. Services-26%
• Percent of Students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch-51%

Contact your School Site or

(530) 891-3000, ext. 20173
Barbara Akimoto

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Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) also provides After School Programs.  These programs run from the end of school hours until 6:00 p.m. Children are signed in and out every day.  Activities include time for homework, arts and crafts, sports, and games.  Please visit the CARD Webpage for information and registration links at: https://www.chicorec.com/after-school-programs