CLAS January Highlights: Seeds, Sketches, and Spreading Joy

We’ve kicked off 2026 with energy and creativity at Chiloquin Learns After School (CLAS)! As of January, we have 40 students enrolled in the program, and we’re officially at capacity, with a waitlist for new registrations. Our team includes three dedicated aides and two fantastic high school volunteers who bring their time and talent to help our students grow every day.

Thanks to the incredible Chiloquin Elementary kitchen staff, students enjoy a hot meal every afternoon, fueling them for activities ranging from science experiments to community kindness projects.

This month, we welcomed another engaging visit from Liz at the Klamath County Museum, who presented “The Traveling Seed.” Students learned how seeds move through wind, water, and animals, and even created their own wind-traveling seed models. They wrapped up the lesson with a fan-powered competition to see which design could fly the farthest!

In celebration of Chiloquin’s upcoming Centennial, students have been imagining what our town might look like in 100 years. Their sketches will be featured later this year in a special community display.

We’ve also launched a new effort to spread positivity at school. Every week, students write uplifting notes and leave them anonymously in lockers and cubbies to brighten someone’s day. It’s been a small but powerful way to share kindness and build connection.

Starting in February, we’re thrilled to partner with SMART Reading! A SMART volunteer will visit weekly to read with our K–2 students, and each child will get to take home a book to keep. We’re still looking for additional volunteers to support one-on-one reading sessions for 15–20 minutes each week at 3:25 PM. If you or someone you know would like to help, we’d love to hear from you!