 | Dr.Glenn Fortmayer is Superintendent of USD 247 Southeast. He has been a superintendent for four years and administrator for 15 of 23 years in education. He is working with Southeast on initiatives including: expanding student learning opportunities, technology integration, and increasing instruction that authentically engages students every class period of every day with an emphasis on project based learning. For more information call 620-457-8350.
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Education Issues
2013-05-29 12:08:57
Federal 21st Century grants
Q-What are 21st Century Grants?
A-21st Century Grants are sources of funding from the federal government that school districts and youth organizations can apply for on a competitive basis. Research has shown the value of students being involved in extra learning opportunities, particularly over the summer break. The sequester that affected many federal budgets this spring has stopped new applications for the time being. However, two districts in Crawford County, USD 247 Southeast and USD 250 Pittsburg were able to be approved before the sequester struck and are still receiving their grant funding.
21st Century Grant funding is used to fund extended learning opportunities outside of the regular school day and year. The programs can be in many different forms depending on the needs and goals of the grant recipient. Some grants are used for aftercare programs and homework help. Some address a focused need area such as providing more instruction and guided practice in reading. The USD 250 program provides extended opportunities in reading, math, and enrichment with healthy snacks at all of its elementary schools. A summer program is offered for six weeks for six hours a day too. Students will rotate through various math, reading, and enrichment activities. USD 247 Southeast’s grant is for students 6-12th grade. It provides a range of academic and enrichment programs Monday-Thursday during the school year. This summer the Southeast program will provide 8 weeks of enrichment activities for its 6-12th grade students. The 21st Century Grant program for the 6-12th graders will have a science focus, with weekly activities including activities at the Greenbush Science Center, field trips, and engaging hands on science projects ranging from robotics and rocketry to Civil Air Patrol Cadets Flying powered aircraft and gliders.
These 21st Grant programs are valuable to districts and parents because they develop students academically and provide engaging activities for kids that often are searching for things to do in the summer. Parents value these programs because they provide assistance in caring for the kids over the summer without any cost to the parent. When combined with summer eating programs, the value for all patrons is even greater. Summer feeding programs provide 2 meals for any child 1-18 years old, regardless of whether they participate in the grant program or not. Plus, any adult can purchase their meals for $3.50 at the summer feeding center. For instance, meals are being served at Southeast High and McCune, with school bus transportation provided for anyone wanting to eat lunch from Cherokee and Weir.
21st Century Grant Centers are designed to engage students at a high level since they are voluntarily attended. The Grant programs continue if minimum attendance is maintained. It is important for parents to support the program and encourage neighbors to do so as well in order to maintain the grant funding for the full five years that the grants serve.
