Back in 2017, Partner for Student Success (PFSS) facilitated a community-wide team, led by the SEARCH Institute to develop a strategic plan for student success in the St. Cloud Area. The work, over time, adjusted according to findings, continued development of the network and gathered information. As a result, in 2019, St. Cloud Area School District 742, in partnership with United Way of Central Minnesota, was awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant (21st CCLC) funded by the Minnesota Department of Education. The three-year grant focuses on every student succeeding in school with a goal to provide “a broad array of academic supports, enrichment programs and school engagement opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program and help students achieve, connect and thrive.”
United Way’s Director of 21st Century Community Learning Centers Clarinda Solberg says, “We are able to bring many different programs to our after-school programs.”
The grant has added supports and enrichment to after-school programming at Discovery Community School, Lincoln Elementary School, South Junior High School and Talahi Community School and currently focuses on kindergarten through eighth grade.
At South Junior High School, Laura Vernier, mental health advocate, leads the grant with The Tiger Academy Homework Help and Enrichment Program. She coordinates tutors and supports for students to help with missing or late work, or any other extra help they need.
“We try to do about an hour of homework help and then we do an enrichment activity,” says Vernier. “Most kids sign up because they need to catch up because of last year in COVID. It’s nice to have a place where they can come and have one-on-one support.”
Once students complete their work in the after-school program, they participate in an enrichment activity which ranges from sports to art and music to social justice work.
“Research states that positive outcomes in after-school [programs] is contingent on … consistent and sustained attendance,” explains Solberg. “We collect data on program quality – where they enjoy the program and have opportunities to develop caring relationships. We look at those participant program experiences as well as partners to engage in continuous programming.”
“So, within this grant,” she continues, “it’s really nice because there are a lot of other community partners that we can partner with. We’ve had GREAT Theatre come. We’ve also had Anna Marie’s staff come in and do some groups and just skill building with our kids. Upcoming is our partnership with St. Cloud State University and the Science Express bus.”
South has seen a significant impact on their students participating in the program.
Principal Joel Heitkamp shares, “The United Way and the 21st Century Grant has been a true partnership since inception! This partnership has allowed us to think creatively and collaboratively regarding new ways to provide supports and opportunities for all of our students at South. This has been evident, whether it’s been the after-school homework club, after-school enrichment, summer programming enrichment, engagement at family events or student focus.”
The plan is to expand the grant to include ninth through twelfth grade in the next three-year cycle with a focus on college and career opportunities.
When students feel a part of their school community, they feel connected to the greater community as well. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant partnership helps make those connections happen.
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