After-school program receives more than $10 million

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Over the next five years, Kalamazoo Public Schools and Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo will receive $10.125 million to fund after-school programs.

The funding comes from the Michigan Department of Education and will go toward 21st Century after-school programs in 15 KPS schools. Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo applied for three grants, which were submitted jointly with the Kalamazoo Public Schools. All three were selected for funding.

Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, nine schools will continue to offer the after-school program funded through a previously awarded grant. Six others will be new sites.

The program will be newly offered at Arcadia Elementary, El Sol Elementary, Northglade Montessori Magnet School, Prairie Ridge Elementary, Spring Valley Center for Exploration, and Woodward School for Technology & Research.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers continue at Edison Environmental Science Academy, Lincoln International Studies School, Milwood Elementary, Washington Writers’ Academy, Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center for the Arts, Hillside Middle School, Linden Grove Middle School, Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, and Milwood Magnet.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports the creation of centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities focused on extending the learning day for students who can benefit from added learning support and academic enrichment.

The federally funded program sends funds to the states, which in turn award it to programs in which it believes students will get help as they work to meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math. The program offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs, and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

In addition to providing after school support four days per week during the school year, the grants also provide the means for a six-week summer program for students.

“We are very excited about this award and the opportunity to continue to add after-school support to our core function of integrated student services--bringing a wide range of community resources to schools and their students to implement a ‘whole child’ approach," says CIS Executive Director Pam Kingery.

KPS Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice says, “The After School Programs reflected in the 21st Century grants give our children and youth extra support for completing their homework and access to tutoring help and additional caring adults, as well as reinforcement for academic concepts introduced in school. The extra hours of structured learning support throughout the year are an extremely important addition to the substantial efforts of the district.”

Source: Jennifer Clark, Communities in Schools Kalamazoo