Enrichment Programs for Kids
When the school day ends,
the fun begins
About Us
Raising Rainbows
Founded in 2022 to address the growing need for academic support in our community. We specialize in on-site ELOP programs for Pre-Kindergarten-6th grade. At Raising Rainbows, we are prepared to support district plans to maximize equity and access opportunities at your schools immediately, with the option of a phased implementation as we build the capacity to serve additional students.
For eligibility information, please visit IUSD's website. IUSD should also notify eligible families via email before the 2024-25 school year.
The Rainbow
The Rainbow has been a part of our programs since our first preschool, afterschool program was started in 1979. We were called Rainbow River. Our children created our name Rainbow. We call ourselves Rainbow because it expresses wonder and beauty, it reflects the joy of nature and the science of water, light, and the sun, worldwide. It shows the majesty of our world, the colors of the spectrum, and the creativity of nature and children.
In 1988 we established Rainbow Rising and now we have Raising Rainbows. We invite you to join our Rainbows.
“Somewhere over the Rainbows, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” The movie, The Wizard of OZ, sung by Judy Garland, was written by Edgar Harburg, in 1939.
“Why are there so many songs about rainbows, and what’s on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.” The Muppet Movie, sung by Kermit the Frog, was written by Paul Williams in 1979.
The Rainbow Dragon
On a 1995 visit to the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach, we saw delightful watercolor paintings of dragons and children. One of the paintings stood out. We asked the artist, Ron Rodecker if we could purchase it and use it as a mascot for our centers. He had been an elementary school teacher for many years and a school principal and he graciously gave us the rights to use it however we wished. In 1999 he was hired by Columbia Pictures and Sesame PBS to design “Dragon Tales”. 140 episodes were made and it became the most-viewed children’s TV series worldwide.
Dragons are a part of every culture. The Rainbow Dragon is a friendly Dragon who likes to bring friends and families together. If you have any stories or information about dragons in your family or culture, please share it with us.
What is ELOP?
The Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOP) Program is the result of the 2021–22 Budget Act and Assembly Bill (AB) 130, as amended by AB 167. Expanded learning means before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. It is the intent of the Legislature that expanded learning programs are pupil-centered, results-driven, include community partners, and complement, but do not replicate, learning activities during the regular school day and school year.
Program requirements include providing no less than nine hours a day of programming when combined with in-person instructional time on all school days and nine hours a day of programming during 30 intersession days. Program standards are to be aligned with the After School Education & Safety (ASES) program, including educational enrichment and literacy activities, snacks/meals, a program plan with training, integration with the school day and other opportunities, community collaboration, physical activity, fiscal accountability, and data collection to support the quality improvement process that is reviewed every three years.
