SAND SPRINGS — Sand Springs Public Schools was recently awarded a five-year Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant through the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
The federal grant will continue to support after-school and summer learning opportunities for students at Garfield STEAM Academy and Northwoods Fine Arts Academy.
The grant will provide $1.38 million over the next five years to help students strengthen academic achievement while participating in engaging, hands-on enrichment experiences beyond the traditional school day.
The purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is to provide opportunities for communities to establish or expand activities in community learning centers.
The program’s specific purposes are to: Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend lowperforming schools, to meet the challenging State academic standards;
O er a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, service learning, nutrition and health education, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, arts, music, physical fi tness and wellness programs, technology education programs, fi nancial literacy programs, environmental literacy programs, mathematics, science, career and technical programs, internship or apprenticeship programs, and other ties to an indemand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; O er families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.
During the school year, students at Garfi eld STEAM Academy and Northwoods Fine Arts Academy can participate in Full STEAM Ahead, an after-school learning program that combines academic support with enrichment activities.
Students enrolled in the program will receive homework assistance and engage in project-based learning experiences utilizing science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
During the summer, eligible students will participate in Project Summer Spirit, an immersive learning program that extends educational opportunities beyond the school year.
The program blends academic enrichment with hands-on learning experiences, fi eld trips, STEM activities, creative arts, and literacy.
Project Summer Spirit is designed to help students maintain academic progress over the summer while providing engaging experiences that build a love of learning.
“The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant has been hugely benefi cial to our students and families,” Superintendent Sherry Durkee said. “These programs help students stay engaged and strengthen academic skills in a positive environment.
We're grateful for this investment in our school community.”
The 21st CCLC program is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting local before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs.