October 17, 2012

GOV. MALLOY: FEDERAL GRANTS AWARDED TO SUPPORT EXTENDED LEARNING IN HIGH-NEED SCHOOLS

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that fourteen grant applications from municipalities throughout the state, totaling more than $2.5 million, have been approved as part of the United States Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative, which supports programs that help children in high-need schools succeed academically by increasing access to extended learning opportunities.

Grant recipients must offer students and their families literacy and related educational development activities in elementary schools, secondary schools, or other similarly accessible facilities. Centers provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning, including tutoring and mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment, community service opportunities, as well as music, arts, sports, health, and cultural activities. Centers also assist working parents by providing a safe environment for students when school is not in session.

"Providing an opportunity for children of all levels with these crucial skills helps young people set a foundation they will build on throughout their lives," Governor Malloy said. "These investments will lead to a better quality of life for our children, and will provide them with tools they need to achieve success."

Senator Joe Lieberman said, "Investing in education is critical to ensuring our children have the skills to compete and lead successful and fulfilling lives. These funds will help strengthen and enhance the extended learning opportunities for students in high-need schools across the state. These grant awards are a testament to our state's commitment to providing the educational tools necessary for our young students to succeed."

"These grants will enable Connecticut schools to provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours, particularly for students who attend low-performing schools, to help them meet state and local student performance standards," Senator Richard Blumenthal said. "Additionally, they will give teachers more time to collaborate and build strong partnerships with community organizations, preparing them for success in the 21st century. I am grateful for this significant federal investment in our state, and I applaud Governor Malloy for his strong work to improve Connecticut schools for our students and teachers."

"Improving the education of our students doesn't stop when they leave the classroom," Congressman John Larson said. "And providing safe and effective educational opportunities that an entire community can get behind is very important to the success of our children. I commend Governor Malloy for his work to secure this funding and for his continued efforts to make Connecticut a leader in education."

"This funding is excellent news for the Norwich and Windham Public Schools systems and the students and parents who count on them each day," Congressman Joe Courtney said. "With education more critical than ever to succeed in our global economy, additional after-school services like tutoring, and music and arts education will give our students a leg up as they move from grade to grade and eventually on to college."

"After-school programs have a proven record of helping students both inside and outside the classroom," Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said. "This funding will provide our youngsters with programs that reinforce the lessons they learn during the day, opening new doors of opportunity and ensuring they have the necessary skills to succeed. Investing in our students now is an investment in America's future and I applaud all the teachers and educators who work so hard to make these programs a reality."

Congressman Jim Himes said, "I have always believed that the best investment we as a nation can make in our future and in our economy is to provide all children with a quality education. Offering extended learning opportunities to children in high-need schools will help these kids succeed in school and in their careers, and I look forward to working with the Lighthouse Program in Bridgeport to ensure that the future of Bridgeport's next generation is bright."

"I am thrilled that students and educators across the state of Connecticut will benefit from extended learning time in school," said Congressman Chris Murphy. "This allows the opportunity for more in-depth and individualized instruction as well as fun and engaging projects that foster students' creativity and love of learning - as well as educators' passion for teaching. In today's No Child Left Behind test-driven era, this is extremely important in ensuring that our workforce continues to be the most innovative in the world."

Connecticut Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor said, "Schools and educators throughout the state are doing innovative work to extend learning for children beyond traditional school hours. These grant awards will provide for enriching experiences that elevate learning and deepen our commitment to student achievement in communities where such enhancements are needed most."

The federally-funded grant program is administered locally by the Connecticut Department of Education. Grant applicants will receive 21st Century Learning Center funding, as designated below, for each of the next five years.

21st Century Community Learning Centers
2012-13 Grant Awards

	Grant Applicant	Requested Amount	Schools to be Served
1	Organized Parents Make A Difference (OPMAD), Hartford	$200,000	Environmental Science Magnet School
2	Compass Youth Collaborative, Hartford	$125,000	Dwight Bellizzi Asian Studies Academy
3	Norwich Public Schools	$200,000	John M. Moriarty Wequonnoc School Uncas Elementary School
4	New Haven Public Schools	$200,000	Davis Street Arts and Academics School Riverside Academy
5	Meriden Women and Family Center	$60,000	Nathan Hale School Casimir Pulaski School
6	New Haven Public Schools	$200,000	Wexler-Grant School James Hillhouse High School
7	Bridgeport Lighthouse	$200,000	Madison School Luis Munoz Marin School Read School
8	Danbury Public Schools	$153,674	Park Avenue Elementary
9	City of Bridgeport (Lighthouse)	$200,000	Beardsley School Bryant School Park City Magnet School
10	Waterbury Public Schools	$185,044	Wallace Middle School
11	East Hartford Public Schools	$200,000	O'Brien School Langford School
12	Common Ground High School, New Haven	$200,000	Common Ground High School
13	Windham Public Schools	$200,000	Windham Center School North Windham School Windham High School
14	Meriden Public Schools	$200,000	Washington Middle School Lincoln Middle School
		Total = $2,523,718

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2012

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