Springfield schools receive $1.3M for after-school programs

The 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant will provide $1.27 million to the district over five years, with about $300,000 distributed in the first year. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will diminish funding by 10 percent in the third year, 30 percent in the fourth year and 50 percent in the fifth year. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will sustain the program through these reductions and beyond the grant’s five-year period.

The grant will allow the district to create community learning centers for Reed Middle School and Weller, McGregor and Weaver elementary schools. The centers will provide academic enrichment opportunities for children to meet state and local student standards in core subjects.

Springfield Public Schools also has received three Afterschool Health/METS grants, each for $10,000, to fund after-school programs at Portland, Bingham and Pittman elementary schools.

At Portland, the grant will expand offerings at Portland Academy to include a math and science program.

At Bingham and Pittman, the grants will bring in Ozarks Regional YMCA to offer the Health Kids Academy during Prime Time. The academy educates students on making healthy eating and exercise choices.[[In-content Ad]]