Livermore BELIEVES is an acronym for Broaden Enrich Lives, Instill Educational Values, Encourage Students. This is also the vision for the program that exists at Marylin Avenue and Portola Elementary Schools. The program is funded through a Proposition 49 After School Education and Safety (ASES) Grant. Students participating in the program attend daily from the time school is out until 6:00. They receive a nutritious snack, engage in academic enrichment activities, receive homework assistance, and participate in physical education activities on a daily basis. There is no fee for this service and up to 90 students can be enrolled. Currently we serve students in grades 1-5. Applications are available in the school office.

BELIEVES is fortunate to have the use of rooms 17, 18, 19, and 20 as well as the computer lab. Staffing is a collaboration between the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) and the Livermore Area Parks and Recreation District (LARPD).   This collaboration allows us to include the academic focus of the school with the youth development focus of LARPD for a broader perspective and approach to learning. Academic enrichment includes arts and crafts, holiday activities, thematic activities, math and language games, reading, and music. We use the Scholastic After School Reading Program and Arts Attack curriculum as well as assorted other materials. Homework is checked daily and anyone needing assistance is given some. We have staff fluent in both Spanish and English to assist students although English is the primary language spoken in the program to help English language learners students develop greater fluency. 

Currently the BELIEVES program is spearheading a project to revive the Portola School garden. Anyone interested in volunteering or wanting more information is welcome to contact the coordinator, Kim Farrand, at 606-5209 or by email at kfarrand@livermore.k12.ca.us.