The Community Conversation report is now complete, and some of the suggested follow-up activities have already taken place, with more in process or on the schedule.

The “conversation” was initiated by Bogalusa Magic (Making Achievement Gains In our Community), a project undertaken by the city with assistance from the National League of Cities and the National Education Association after Hurricane Katrina. It’s all about after school programming to fill the needs of area youth.

The report is the result of a meeting late last September where more than 100 concerned community members united to brainstorm ideas and discuss ways to “bring the magic back to the magic city” via after school programs for kids.

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The group broke up into teams and each pinpointed and prioritized needs and discussed how those needs might be addressed.

This month the compilation report that notes common ground, priorities and suggested follow-up activities was released, and some of those follow-ups are already in the works.

One will be a Magic May Day celebration on May 2 in Goodyear Park.

“We invite all agencies offering programs and services to children and families to sign up for this fun, educational day,” said Sandy Bloom, Bogalusa Magic spokesperson. “We envision this as a day we can provide children and families the opportunity to sign up for summer programs, and child and family helping organizations can conduct outreach.”

Magic May Day is described as a children’s and family festival and an opportunity for parents to “one stop shop” for activities for their children.

Agencies that offer programs are urged to call Bloom at 730-4397 to get involved.

Another suggested follow-up has already taken place. In December and January, Bogalusa Magic administered surveys in both public and private schools to determine parent and student preferences and needs with regard to after school and summer programming.

More that 200 survey forms were returned from parents of students in Pre-K through 10th grade, with most of the responses for children in Pre K through 5th grade.

Fifty-one percent of the responding parents said they would take advantage of an after school enrichment program if it were offered, said Bloom. Only six percent responded that they would not use an out-of-school-time program.

The parents said the greatest challenges regarding out-of-school-time activities were finding the programs and their cost. They listed homework help, tutoring, reading, writing and computer based activities as the top preferences for areas of focus. Other preferred programs were arts and crafts, aerobics, gymnastics and clubs such as boy scouts and girl scouts.

When asked how often they might use a summer program, 85 % responded that they would use it at least occasionally, and 34 percent said they would use a summer program every week day.

Bogalusa Magic is also working on the other suggested follow-up activities, which are to:

* Develop leadership that is responsible, committed and has a heart for children.

* Investigate funding.

* Compile and disseminate information on existing programs.

* Support the development of programs that address gaps.