Applications Open for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 18, 2016) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is seeking applicants from schools and community organizations for 2016-2017 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grants.

21st CCLC programs provide hands-on learning opportunities during out-of-school time for students who attend high-poverty, low-performing schools. Programs offer enrichment activities that complement the school day learning and help students meet state and local achievement standards. They often provide opportunities for career exploration, mentoring and the arts in partnership with community-based organizations.

The following three programs were funded with 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants:

• In Fort Cobb, Oklahoma students are learning woodworking, art history and archery after school and participate in field trips to the theater, museums and wildlife parks on days when school is not in session.
• In Caney, Oklahoma middle school students partnered with NASA scientists, even talking with them via Skype, to learn about space exploration.
• In Sand Springs, students are learning about governance through participation in a youth advisory council. The program offered a Spring Break camp that focused on the outdoors and nature conservation.

“Not all students have access to afterschool activities as rich and meaningful as the ones our 21st Century program is able to provide,” said Kyle Lierle, Superintendent of Fort Cobb-Broxton Schools. “Our parents are thankful we can provide a safe environment for their kids after the last bell rings, and we have seen an increase in community partners who want to be a part of what we’re doing in our afterschool programming.”

Community-based and other non-school organizations are encouraged to apply for the grants. A partnership with a local school district is required for eligibility. Local Education Agency (LEA) applicants must demonstrate partnerships with community-based organizations.

All applications must be completed and submitted online.

To learn more about this grant opportunity and how to apply, visit the 21st CCLC page on the OSDE website at http://sde.ok.gov/sde/21cclc.

A required Letter of Intent to Apply must be submitted by 3 p.m., Wednesday, June 1. The online Application Submission Deadline is 3 p.m., Monday, June 27.

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