In 2000, a study was conducted to determine how best to help the youth of Winthrop. After assessing the results, The Fun After School Program was begun by the Winthrop Congregational Church. Original funding came from healthy Futures and all other expenses were covered by the church. Within one year, enrollment was at 15. That year, the FAS program was awarded the Spirit of America Award. It was obvious that more space, financing, and community involvement was needed. The Congregational Church, Town of Winthrop, Winthrop School Department, Police Depeartment, healthy Futures, and concerned citizens banded together and in 2002, the FAS program moved to the Middle School. With a commitment from the Town and a grant from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, the program was expanded to meet the needs of even more students.

2002-2003 saw over 20% of the Middle School participating. The year started with 14 participants and ended with 60. 74% of those attending on a regular basis saw an improvement in their grades. There was a 33% decrease in police interaction within this age group and a drop in school discipline actions. 7 of the 11 eigth graders recieved academic awards at graduation attended FAS. The volunteer base was made up of community members and high school students. There were 13 volunteers.

In 2003-2004, almost 40% of the Middle School was participating. The year started with 28 participants and ended with 86. 67% of the students who came saw an improvement in grades. There was a continued drop in school discipline actions and police interaction. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in police interaction in the 15-17 year old group. By volunteering and/or participating in the program, the students are learning something. Many of the high school students come back  as volunteers and earn community service hours. About 50 volunteers helped out this year.

The 2004-2005 school year saw 46% of the student body participating. The year started with 55 participants and ended with 97. Our regular team members saw a 50%-74% improvement in grades. Disciplinary actions and police interactions remained lower. We saw a significant increase in participation be special needs students. Our volunteer base remained exceptionally strong. Volunteers gave 110.5 hours during the school year.

In 2005-2006, we started with 51 registered participants and grew to 100 which was over 50% of the studnet body. Again, our volunteer base grew. We had 9 high school volunteers on a regular basis and an adult committee of 10. We had teachers volunteer to show team memebrs crafts and parents making snacks. The community was a wonderful source of donations as well. Our JJAG grant ended in September and October 1st, the Town of Wonthrop and the Winthop School Board joined together to fund the continuation of the program. We moved into our own classroom and became an integral part of the Middle School.

2006-2007 started with 90 registered students which was 46.5% oft he school. By the end of the year there were 127 members or 66% of the student body. We recieved a mini grant from Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, a wonderful holiday gift from the Ladies of St. Francis Church, as well as a generous donation from Kennebec Savings Bank. Most of our staff returned as well as many of our volunteers from the past few years.

The 2007-2008  started with 92 registered team members and ended with 123 (this is 69% of the school). Our staff of seasoned veterans returned. We did a joint project with the chorus and the kids sang the National Anthym on the ice at a Portland Pirates game. Our volunteers stepped up again and we were able to offer special clubs including Jr. Fire fighters.

As 2008-2009 had an amazing start. We found out that we had been awarded the 2008 Exceptional Practices Award from MAMLE(Maine Association of Middle Level Educators)! We started out with 110 registered and by February 28, were up to 131. This was 69% of the school population. At the second report period, of those attending FAS on a regular basis, 77% saw an improvement in grades. We performed at the Portalnd Pirates game, planned and held our movie marathon, and had a variety of special guests. FAS has been working on being more eco friendly with less disposable waste. Our website is up and running (as you can tell!) and can be accessed from the school website.

2009-2010 started with an astonishing 124 registered students! This was 64% of the studentent body. During the first week alone we saw record attendace. As of May, we have 144 registered team members. This represents 72% of our school. We average 27 students daily. So far we have done so many different activities. We organized red Ribbon Week for the school, sang the National Anthem again, celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day, Chinese New Year, Thai New Year, raced the Wincafe 500 (like Daytona), ran (or floated) the Winducky Derby, and had special events. The movie marathon overnight was a huge syccess as well. Wow! The year isn't even over yet!