|
Baltimore, Maryland, October 16, 2007
Twelve programs in eight Maryland jurisdictions have been
awarded $3.3 million in grants by the Maryland State
Department of Education (MSDE) through the federal 21st
Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant
Program.
The 21st CCLC grants provide services to children who attend
high poverty schools or schools identified for improvement.
The grant requires that each proposal offer opportunities
for literacy and related educational development to families
of participating students. There also is an emphasis on
closing the achievement gap between those receiving free and
reduced meals (FARMS) and students not receiving such
assistance.
"The purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers
program is to create centers that provide academic
enrichment opportunities that support what is learned in the
classroom," said Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent
of Schools. "The programs are unique because they also
provide an array of cultural activities. Together, the
centers show students the real world connection to what they
learn in the classroom and how they can improve their
communities," said Dr. Grasmick.
The grant process was open to public and private
organizations including non-profit agencies, city and county
government agencies, faith-based groups, institutions of
higher education, and for-profit corporations. Twenty-six
organizations applied for grants and 14 received site
visits. The groups awarded grants in this round were
comprised of eight local school systems, three
not-for-profit community-based organizations, and one
faith-based organization.
Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to the following
programs:
-
Child First Microsociety,
Child First Authority, Inc., Baltimore City
-
Collington Square Learning Academy,
International Medalist Association, Baltimore City
-
Columbia Bridges 21st CCLC,
Howard County Public Schools, Howard County
-
Haven House After School Program,
Worcester County Public Schools, Worcester County
-
Kent Community Learning Center Project,
Kent County Public Schools, Kent County
-
LINK (Let's Invest In Neighborhood Kids),
The Village Learning Place & Margaret Brent
Elementary/Middle School, Baltimore City
-
Partnering for Youth Project A to Z,
Queen Anne's County Board of Education, Queen Anne's
County
-
SAFE (Students and Families Excelling),
Extended Day Program, Board of Education Allegany
County, Allegany County
-
Voyage to Excellence,
Somerset County
-
Waverly Community Learning Center,
Franciscan Youth Center,
Baltimore City
-
Wicomico STARS II Afterschool and Summer Learning
Centers,
Board of Education, Wicomico County
-
The
Youth Place at St. Ambrose Center 21st CCLC,
St. Ambrose Center - St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore,
Baltimore City
These groups will begin preparations to launch programs this
summer. This round of awardees joins 42 projects already
operating under the 21st CCLC program. Programs are
operating in Baltimore City, Allegany, Anne Arundel,
Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Frederick,
Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne's,
St. Mary's, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester
counties.
In addition to improving the academic achievement and
self-confidence of students, these programs keep students
safe, and help working families. Participants are less
likely to be involved in crime and more likely to have
better grades and behavior than peers left with nothing to
do after school.
Parties interested in receiving requests for proposals for
the sixth round of grants should contact Vanessa J. Diggs,
Coordinator, After School Programs, at 410.767.0034 or via
email at
[email protected].
To learn more about the program online, please visit our Web
site:
21st Century Community Learning
Centers.
Other Collington
Square Activities |
