$1.4 Million Grant to Fund Dist. 300 before and after School Program
Less than three months after being hired as Du Quoin Community Unit District 300's Director of Instructional Services Diana Rea has landed a five-year $1.4 million grant that will give the district a substantial before and after school program for students.
The first chance to ask questions will be at the first of many registrations Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. in the Du Quoin Middle School media center just inside the main doors of the school.
The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring the program called simply "The 21st Century" program. The funding is being passed through the Illinois Office of Education to local school districts who successfully apply.
Rea said it began "with a request for proposals. The program will be funded to a level of $330,000 in each of the first three years, then 90 percent of that amount in the fourth year, then 75 percent of that amount in the fifth year.
Locally, the program will be in partnership with the Du Quoin Youth Club--which has an after school program--the University of Illinois Extension Service and John A. Logan College.
The program hours are 7:20 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the mornings and 3 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. in the afternoons.
"Our main partner is the Du Quoin Youth Club," said Rea, who has had an extensive conversation with director Nicole Heape on how to blend what is already offered by the Youth Club to what can be offered by the school district.
Du Quoin and Christopher received notification in November they will be joining Mount Vernon and Benton as participants.
Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly said he was very proud of Diana Rea's work in bringing the components of this grant application together. "The grant is based on some demographics," he said, but "will target all students in the district."
Like Rea, he said he expects participation to grow as parents see the great resource it can be for their children.
This FREE program for K-8 students at Du Quoin Elementary and Du Quoin Middle School will begin Jan. 14 and will provide before and after school learning on school days through May 2013.
Rea is in the process of identifying staff, aides and classroom needs to accommodate the program.
Program Highlights:
• Before school tutoring and mentoring
• After school snacks
• Help with homework daily
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Development
• iPad and computer labs
• Technology supported learning
• Magazines, plays and other engaging reading
• Art lessons
• Recreation and fitness activities
• Family involvement events
• Bus transportation is provided
A student registration form must be completed and returned to the school before any student may participate in either the before or after-school programs.
District 300 Staff will be assisting with registration on Wednesday.
For more information, contact: Diana Rea, Du Quoin Community Unit School District 300, (618) 542-3856 ext.1418.