YUMA, AZ, June 14, 2022 – Mesquite Elementary School and Ronald Reagan Elementary School have each been awarded the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grant, a Title IV-B program funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Arizona Department of Education. The purpose of the 21st CCLC Grant is to establish school site learning centers that provide students with standards-based academic enrichment classes and opportunities with targeted assistance in math, reading, and writing during out-of-school time, and that meaningfully engage adult family members in helping their children succeed academically.
The grant is designed to focus on student development in three key areas – Academic, Youth, and Family Engagement – with the objective of providing students with a complete support system for success. Along with supervised learning and enrichment opportunities, students participating in 21st CCLC programs are served in easily accessible environments, rely on safe transportation home from the program (in participating sites that require bus transportation), and provide before and after school snacks as well as school meals through the duration of the 21st CCLC summer program.
Both Mesquite and Ronald Reagan Elementary Schools are first time applicants for this grant. Mesquite Principal Karen Burns shared that she’s excited for her school. “This opportunity will allow Mesquite to provide our students with a high quality, well-rounded before and after school academic and enrichment learning experience. We look forward to working with our staff, students and families, and community to make this program a success!”
Likewise, Ronald Reagan Principal, Thomas Fletcher, can’t wait to get started with this new program. “This opportunity will be a real game changer for us in providing students and their families with activities that will take our students beyond the classroom with innovative and creative learning. The grant also engages our community and invites them to partner with Ronald Reagan like never before, which is exciting. The possibilities are endless.”
The Crane School District has five other sites that are currently funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant: Gary A. Knox Elementary, H.L. Suverkrup Elementary, Pueblo Elementary, Salida del Sol Elementary, and Valley Horizon Elementary.
The maximum period of grant funding for each site is 5 years, which amounts to a total of $1,080,000 for both awarded sites. For more information on the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, please visit: http://www.azed.gov/21stcclc/
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