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Grand Island Public Schools receives continuation grant for after-school and summer school program
The Grand Island Public Schools has received a federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant to continue the after-school and summer school program at Dodge, Knickrehm, Lincoln, Starr, and Wasmer Elementary Schools.
The State Board of Education recently approved awarding the U.S. Department of Education grant. The programs provide extra help for students in reading, mathematics, and other studies.
The Grand Island Public Schools will receive $67,125 per year through the five-year continuation grant for a total of $335,625.
Nebraska Commissioner of Education Roger Breed said, "Research shows that before- and-after-school programs increase student academic achievement, reduce substance abuse, stem juvenile crime, and reduce teen pregnancy rates."
"With an emphasis on academics, these programs help our children meet and exceed Nebraska academic standards by providing services such as mentoring and tutoring. And, by working with other agencies, the programs also provide benefits such as positive youth development, physical fitness, career exploration and community service experiences," Breed said.
The primary goals of these 21st Century Community Learning Centers are improved student learning, increased social benefits and positive behavioral changes as well as increased family and community engagement in Nebraska schools.
"These grants will support more than 1,300 Nebraska students by providing enrichment and positive youth development services," said Karen Stevens, state director of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program.
In the past six years, the Nebraska Department of Education has awarded 37 first-time federal grants for students at 98 different sites in 26 Nebraska communities. The Nebraska Department of Education awarded grants for three new programs and six existing programs in this grant competition.
Carrie Kolar, principal at Stolley Park Elementary School, coordinates the Grand Island Public Schools' 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is also offered at Howard and Jefferson Elementary Schools and Barr and Walnut Middle Schools. Those schools will be eligible for continuation grant funding in 2010. She and Carol Bryant, grant development facilitator for the school district, prepared the grant application.
Community partners with the Grand Island Public Schools in the continuation grant application were the Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions (CNCAA), Stuhr Museum, and Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary. These partners provide programming for the after-school and summer school programs.
For more information, contact: Carrie Kolar, principal, Stolley Park Elementary School, (308) 385-5913,
ckolar@gips.org
It is the policy of the Grand Island Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, religion, or marital status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI, Title IX, &Section 504.EOE/AA.