Waukon Middle School included among eight school programs to receive grant funding for 21st Century Community Learning Center

by Brianne Eilers

In April of this year, the Waukon Middle School of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD), along with the Cora B. Darling Elementary School of the Postville Community School District, received $990,000 for the 21st Century Community Learning Center. The Community Learning Center program was one of eight Iowa school programs to receive a grant for the 21st Century program.

The grants are funded on a three-year grant cycle, with an optional two-year extension after a site visit. During the 2015-2016 school year, approximately 1,000 students were served in the local 21st Century programming.

Barb Winters-Kelly is the 21st Century grant director for the elementary schools, middle school and high school in the ACSD. She has been with the ACSD since 1998, when the program was funded by a two-year grant.

"People wanted after school programming (for the students)," Winters-Kelly noted.

With many families finding it necessary for both parents to be working outside the home, a good number of kids would find themselves coming home to an empty house after school or maybe having temptations to do things that could get them into trouble. The district applied for and received that first grant to help alleviate those issues.

MEETING CRITERIA
Schools applying for the grant have to meet certain criteria, among them a 40% minimum free and reduced lunch rate. Winters-Kelly noted that it is really important for parents and guardians of students to fill out the free and reduced lunch forms. She noted that the program also has to follow multiple guidelines at the State and Federal levels. All staff and volunteers with the program have to have background checks before they can be approved to work with students or accompany them on field trips.

There is no charge for the students to attend the before or after school programming. There is also summer programming for elementary students. Normally, students are not allowed to come and go from the program, but during the summer the program is flexible to accommodate ball practices, swimming practices and other summer activities. This year, because of a construction project going on in Postville, students from the Cora B. Darling Elementary will be attending their summer session at Waterville Elementary School.

Since it began in 1998, the 21st Century program in the Allamakee Community School district has received a lot of praise at the state and national levels. "We have good teachers and good administrators," Winters-Kelly noted, adding that the staff at all the schools is very supportive of the program, and it shows when evaluators see how much the students enjoy the programming and how much it helps them improve.

Students receive help with homework and many can finish their homework during the time allotted so they are free to be involved with their family when they get home. Programming focuses on supporting students in all areas of their lives, be it academically, socially or helping them learn how to be good citizens.

"A lot of times, the kids are having fun and don't realize they are even learning," Winters-Kelly said. Even when they are having meals or snacks or playtime, the students are learning valuable social skills, she explains. Through the program, they try to encourage students to learn and implement common courtesy, respect for others and helping others, teamwork and how to be good leaders, as well as giving back to the community. They also try to have programming that exposes children to the larger world and things they may not normally get a chance to see or learn about. There is plenty of hands-on learning experience, like learning about robotics or building with Lego sets. Summer programming has included learning about other cultures around the world.

ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS, WITH COMMUNITY HELP
The purpose of the program was, and continues to be, for students to be able to have fun and learn. Students can come in before and after school for help with homework, as well as being able to socialize and experience learning activities. The program also includes a summer session.

"The program is always changing and evolving to meet the kids' interests," Winters-Kelly said. The schools all offer various activities and clubs to help enrich and enhance the learning experiences of the students. Kids Club is one of these activities that many in the community might be familiar with.

The 21st Century program partners with various businesses and individuals in the community to provide a variety of activities for students to choose from. It could be as simple as having a volunteer come in to listen to students practice reading out loud or helping students with homework or something more involved, like the Gardening Club, Cooking Club or Videography Club. Students may also listen to speakers, with presentations covering a wide variety of topics.

Volunteers are a valuable resource for the programming. Whether they realize it or not, the volunteers are important mentors for the kids. "The kids get attached to people," Winters-Kelly said.

Anyone is welcome to volunteer their time or talents to the program. Winters-Kelly noted that college students may be able to get some work study fulfilled with the program. She also said that a valuable source of information can come from retirees who volunteer their time and talents in areas that they are passionate about.

"We are always looking for people and businesses to partner with," Winters-Kelly said.

Many of the school districts' coaches have had study tables with their athletes through the program to encourage them to do well academically. This is an approach that is also seen in many colleges.

FUNDING IS CRUCIAL
As one of the stipulations for the grant, Winters-Kelly has also been working to put a steady funding stream in place for 21st Century programming to continue after the grants have expired. She notes that federal funding for these types of programs can be fickle, depending on the administration, and one of the goals of the program is to create community partnerships that would support and sustain the program through donations and volunteers.

The program has received many donations of money and time over the years. "We are so thankful to the staff and to the people who have worked with our program and supported it," Winters-Kelly said.

In collaboration with the Allamakee County Community Foundation, the Allamakee County Fund for Afterschool Programs was created with the intent to help keep these beneficial programs for students as part of the regular school day. To make a donation or to get more information on the fund, contact Winters-Kelly at 563-568-4013 or email her at bwinters@allamakee.k12.ia.us. Donations are tax deductible on the Iowa income tax forms.