The Candler County School System has been awarded $214,299 to continue its 21st Century Community Learning
Center initiative.
Funding was approved by the State Board of Education
and is authorized under
Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The local system received its first grant in the 2008-2009 academic year. The funds benefit an afterschool program, which provides one hour of tutoring by certified teachers, homework time and enrichment programs.
"Last year, we served over 100 students at various times and were able to provide
such enrichment as karate,
health rocks, technology
and various recreation activities," said Lisa Rigdon, grant administrator.
"This year, we already have 115 signed up in the program and have the ability
to serve 125," Rigdon continued. "The program is designed to help those who may need an academic boost, as well as a little help in self esteem.
"Sandra Parker, our new director, has lots of great programs in place, such as the kids having their own craft store where they are learning to buy materials, take inventory, make crafts and see how much profit is in their crafts.
"Also, we will be using the money to fund a field trip at the end of the year. We will also have karate and health rocks back this year."
The local system is in its 2nd year of the three-year grant period.
"The grant really likes to see community involvement,"
Rigdon explained, "and we are working hard to grow our program and hopefully
see it turn into a full scale boys and girls club before
the end of the three-year period, but we will need lots of community support. We have lots of talented young people who just need a little encouragement and the resources
to make them grow.
"We will be looking for community support and other grants to keep our program
going. This program, we feel, had great influence on raising CRCT scores and grades in our young people this past year and we hope to keep that going.
"Candler County BOE and Candler County Family Connection
partnered together to make this grant happen
and we will continue to work together to make sure we keep this very important piece active in our community."
Assisting Sandra Parker and Lisa Rigdon with the program is Bridgett Harris.

Courtesy of Metter Advertiser