Unity School District Awarded 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant! Unity School District has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant. Unity’s grant award is $480,000, distributed over five years. There is also an opportunity to renew the grant twice for an additional ten years, for a total of fifteen years. The Unity Community Learning Center structure will primarily consist of after-school programming for elementary students, which includes providing an after school meal, but will also include weekend field trips, a summer reading sponsorship program called “Leaders and Readers,” and several family events throughout the year. A constant focus on collaboration with parents, community partners, and highly qualified staff members will remain an integral part of the UCLC. The goals of the (UCLC) are to improve student academic achievement in math and reading/language arts, to provide students with engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities, and to provide various family programs and activities with a focus on literacy/early literacy, parenting, and healthy living activities. Additionally, some of the focus of the UCLC will also be on substance abuse, prevention, and the impact of drug endangered children in our school. Our primary focus is on academic improvement for grades 2-4, but enrichment activities and other programming will be provided PK-4th grade throughout the school year and as part of our summer school programming. The purpose of the grant program is to create community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities, as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program. Community learning centers also offer literacy and related educational development for family members of these students. UCLC will provide a range of high quality services to support student/family learning and development, including tutoring and mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment (such as hands-on science or technology programs), community service opportunities, as well as music, arts, sports, and cultural activities. At the same time, the center will help working parents by providing a safe environment for students when school is not in session.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 19:50:00 +0000