Newark, MD, July 22, 2024– Worcester County Public Schools has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Programs for the Future grant to provide afterschool and summer academies at Berlin Intermediate School and Stephen Decatur Middle School, through its North End STAR (Students That Are Ready) program. The $400,000 grant is renewable for a three-year period, if continuation grants are approved annually.
The STAR program will support the school system that has recently met financial challenges in funding out-of-school time programming at these schools. The grant activities will provide academic support and interventions in literacy and math, as well as enrichment components for students in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), health and wellness, arts and culture and more. Tutoring, homework help, and appropriate meals will also be offered in the program. Providing evidence-based, research-based and teacher created programs are a cornerstone of WCPS’ success.
“We are very excited to receive this news,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said. “Being able to provide continued out-of-school-time programs for all our schools has become increasingly difficult in our current economic climate. This will allow us to offer additional programs at two of the schools, which were cut due to reductions in local funding. We are very happy to be able to continue providing these learning opportunities to the students at Berlin Intermediate and Stephen Decatur Middle.”
WCPS’ 21st CCLC programming not only provide academic and enrichment support to students, but also provide families with services for assistance and learning, provide opportunities for collaboration and partnership between schools and important community resources, and behavioral health services to students in need.
With the addition of this new grant for school year 2024-2025, WCPS will have three active 21st CCLC grants supporting out-of-school programming at nine of its schools: Buckingham Elementary, Pocomoke Elementary, Pocomoke Middle, Pocomoke High, Snow Hill Elementary, Snow Hill Middle, Snow Hill High, Berlin Intermediate, and Stephen Decatur Middle schools.
About 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC)
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program, as part of Title IV, Part B, is designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and provides literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, the 21st CCLC program aims to enhance students' academic performance, improve their behavior and social skills, and engage families in the education process.