East Grand After-School Program hosts barbecue and open house

The 21st Century After School Program at East Grand School in Danforth hosted a barbecue and open house recently to kick off the five-year grant that the school received that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through the State of Maine. SAD 14 has joined the Eastern Maine 21st Century Community Learning Centers Rural Consortium which includes, C.S.D. 9, SAD 29, SAD 70, Caswell, East Range II and Vanceboro.
    Parents and students were invited to a barbecue and informational meeting at the school to update parents on this year’s after-school program. Rhonda Irish, After-School director for the Maine Family Resource Center gave an overview of what the program will look like and activities that will be offered. After the meeting, students and parents were able to visit classrooms and ask questions concerning the program.
East Grand students that participate in the After-School Program will be involved in Outdoor Education, Student advocacy programs, Violence and drug prevention programs, recreational programs, cultural and enrichment programming and Parent Literacy Education Programs. They will also receive mini-courses in reading, writing and math, tutoring services will be available, extended library hours, homework help centers and mentoring programs.
The purpose of Maine’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is to establish or extend Community Learning Centers that provide students with academic support and enrichment opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program. The grant partners are Maine Department of Education, Maine After-School Network, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Living Waters Bible Conference and Dave’s Guide Service.
“I am very excited about the program and everyone is enthusiastic and looking forward to a great year. We are currently looking for input from parents and community members about possible activities and resources available to the program,” stated After-School Coordinator Gail Malone.
For more information on the program, contact Malone at 448-2260.