Grant monies enable CIS to create, expand before, after school programs

Communities in Schools-Heart of Texas (CIS) is proud to announce the start-up of a new 21st Century Community Learning Center project in Marlin, Texas. Communities in Schools has obtained a five-year grant which will create and expand before-and after school programs that offer extended learning opportunities for children and their families.

Communities in Schools has partnered with the Marlin ISD and the Boys and Girls Club of Falls County to bring these educational opportunities to our youth and their families. Other partners include Baylor University, Camp Hope, Advocacy Center, Sylvan Learning Center, World Hunger Relief, Heart of Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Shirley King Childcare, and Girl Scouts of Central Texas. This program, called CIS After School Program, will be offered at three sites; Marlin Elementary, Marlin Middle School, and Marlin High School with the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center as an adjunct site.

The primary goals of the 21st Century grant afterschool program are:

€Reduce dropout rate

€Improve academics

€Improve attendance

€Improve promotion rates

€Improve behavior

€Improve graduation rates

There are four component targeted activities:

€Academic Assistance: Services and activities that support all educational areas such as, but not limited to, homework check/completion, computer literacy, science and math activities, field trip, reading enhancement, language programs, accelerated and remedial education activities.

€Enrichment: Services and activities that provide positive social, cultural, recreational, interpersonal skills and experiences to enrich and expand students' understanding of life and involvement in community such as fine arts (drama, dance, music, drawing and painting), character building, community services projects, and fitness and physical/outdoor games.

€Family and Parental Support: Services and activities that support and help to increase the participation of parents in the students' educational experience such as adult education, college awareness, computer literacy, financial education, teen parents, family counseling and employment resources.

€College and Workforce Readiness: Services and activities that promote workforce awareness, job and/or college readiness, skills training, funding for college, career fairs, college financial aid assistance, college field trips and business environment activities.

The program will operate the full school year and will have summer programs with the Boys and Girls Club of Falls County, Baylor University and Camp Hope. Certified instructors will be employed to implement the program. It is the goal of all the partners to achieve significant improvement in all areas of the school population within the five year span of this program. Enrolling your children in this exciting new program will add a great new dimension to their educational career and provide added benefits for your family.

For more information call any of the individualslisted or go to the school and ask to enroll your child in the after school program. Shalandria Hartsfield, 254-883-3232, Elementary Site Manager; Peggy Roberson, 254-883-9241, Middle School Site Manager; Rodney Scruggs, 254-883-2394, High School Site Manager; Elizabeth Nelson, 254-424-2193, Program Grant Coordinator or Marilyn Martin, 254-883-3605, Curriculum Director.