West Chester, PA (June 3, 2024) – Before- and after-school programs for middle and high school students in Southern Chester County will receive funding awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit will receive nearly $408,000 in total competitive grant funding from the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program.
Half the funding will support the continuation of STEM education, literacy skills, physical fitness, and youth development programs at Avon Grove and Oxford Middle Schools, including, coding clubs, robotics teams, reading/writing workshops, sports clinics, and mentoring.
The other half will sustain college and career preparatory programs like SAT/ACT prep, college application assistance, career exploration, and life skills workshops at Avon Grove and Oxford High Schools.
“A child’s education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Quality before- and after-school programs are part of a comprehensive learning experience that helps students soar to their greatest potential,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “These investments will help inspire kids to discover new interests, build lifelong skills, unleash hidden talents, and stay on track for success in school, work, and life.”
“We are grateful to continue receiving 21st Century grant funding to provide engaging before- and after-school programming in our Avon Grove and Oxford communities,” said Dr. George F. Fiore, Executive Director of CCIU. “These grants allow us to offer students a rich array of activities such as art, music, STEM clubs, career exploration and more, in addition to tutoring and academic instruction.”
The 21st CCLC program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours and help students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects.
“The learning centers provide a safe, supportive environment for students to recharge and continue developing their skills and interests outside of regular school hours,” said Fiore. “We’re excited to continue these enriching programs.”
The Avon Grove programs operate at The Garage Youth Center in Avondale, while the Oxford programs are held at the district’s schools. CCIU will continue working closely with the school districts on logistics for activities during the 2024-25 school year.
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