STACYVILLE, Maine — The Katahdin Elementary School (KES) has received a 21st Century Grant to enhance its afterschool program for grades 2-6.
The Maine Department of Education recently announced that KES was one of seven schools in the state to receive a five-year grant to support extended learning opportunities for students needing additional academic support.
The Maine Family Resource Center (MFRC) of Danforth wrote the grant and will receive up to $341,000 over the 5-year award period to provide hands-on, engaging and relevant extended day and summer programming at KES through the establishment and continuation of a 21st Century Community Learning Center.
In a press release, the Maine DOE stated that “community learning centers provide academic support and enrichment opportunities outside of school hours that improve the in-school performance of at-risk students, including those that struggle academically or are from low-income or immigrant families”.
The learning centers are run by school districts, non-profit organizations or universities focusing primarily on schools where more than 40 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“Quality educational opportunities like these can truly make a difference in a child’s life,” said Gov. LePage. “These programs will ensure Maine’s most struggling students have access to the extra help they need to overcome their challenges, catch up to their peers and really have the chance they deserve to reach their full potential.”
Grantee’s were selected from a pool of 20 grants submitted, by the Maine DOE through a competitive process. KES was the only new 5-year grant awarded in Northern Maine while the Washburn school secured a 3-year extension to their after-school program grant.
With the state’s support, Maine Family Resource Center will annually provide services to approximately 65 KES students. MFRC also continues to support afterschool programs funded by 21st Century grants in the Houlton Southside School (114 students), Hodgdon Middle and High school (90 students), Mill Pond Elementary school; (107 students), and Katahdin Middle and High School (80 students).
Marie Robinson, Principal of both Katahdin Middle-High school and Katahdin Elementary said, “I am tremendously pleased that Katahdin Elementary School received the 21st Century ASP grant. The ASP will provide many students with opportunities they would otherwise not have experienced. With the addition of the elementary grant we are better able to work cooperatively to build programming that will support elementary, middle and high school students”. Gail Pocock who was retained as the after-school Program Coordinator at KES added “This grant provides opportunities for our rural students to experience a project based approach to support the learning of standards in a student centered, engaging and fun environment.”
The 5-year grant period began on July 1 st , 2017 and has already helped to add additional programming and enrichment opportunities for those students attending the KES summer school program. The KES summer program had interns from Katahdin Woods & Waters visit the program and conduct outdoor education activities. They concluded summer programming with a combined KMHS/KES field trip to Orono’s trampoline park where students could enjoy the park while participating in team building and mentoring activities.
Stephen Mine, of MFRC and Director of both Katahdin ASP grants, said “The school administration, staff and the district want to offer their students high quality academic and enrichment activities during the summer, and after school hours. The 21 st Century grants help to make that possible.”
