The Ohio Department of Education Awards Lake Erie College Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grant
The Ohio Department of Education has chosen to award $89 million in Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grants to 161 community-based partners, including Lake Erie College. The College has received the Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Afterschool Create grant, for a total award of $998,606.13.
The Afterschool Enrichment Program is a partnership between Painesville City Local Schools (PCLS) and the Lake Erie College School of Education. The program serves 75-100 PCLS students in K-6th grade from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Friday starting in August 2022. The enrichment program moves beyond the traditional afterschool program which typically takes place in the gym or lunchroom. The Afterschool Enrichment Program provides a variety of “out-of-school” enrichment opportunities including: homework help; math and literacy tutoring; social/emotional wellness program; reading to dogs; community Outreach and Service Projects; Million Word reading challenge; Summer Bridge Program for 5th-12th grade students which includes weekly career exploration provided by community business and industry guests.
The grant allows Lake Erie College and PCLS to provide new flexible seating furniture in four classrooms, one common area and a learning lab, and dedicated Chromebooks for each space. The program also includes a Saturday Story Hour for Preschool-3rd grade students beginning in August 2022. Robin Echols Cooper, a master storyteller, will host each session that includes an interactive story, a snack, a free book and craft. More information will be available to families of Painesville City Local School K-6th grade students.
The Ohio Department of Education received more than 700 applications from across the state. Awardees will use these funds to create or expand out-of-school time services that address the academic needs and overall well-being of students most in need of services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These federally supported COVID-19 relief grants focus on providing direct services for Ohio students who experienced greater disruptions to learning and did not engage consistently in school during the pandemic. Before-school, after-school and summer enrichment programs will help accelerate student learning and address students’ mental health and wellness through academic and tutoring programs focused on literacy, wellness, college and career readiness activities and more.
The Ohio Department of Education is looking forward to the important work Lake Erie College will be doing in partnership with schools to accelerate and support learning for Ohio’s students in new and innovative ways.
Additional information about the grant is available on the Department’s Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grant webpage.