Submitted press release.



Bright yellow Lights ON for Learning Center banners have been raised at Glenview Middle and United Township High School in East Moline.

The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education (RIROE) has received two new 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) federal grants. These are highly competitive grants administered through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities and activities in "Lights ON" Community Learning Centers offered beyond regular school hours.

Glenview Middle School and United Township High School in East Moline are the recipients of the two new grants of $250,000 each year over the next three years. These will fund Lights ON academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment opportunities to students and their families during non-school hours (before or after school) or periods when school is not in session (including holidays, weekends, or summer recess). Glenview and UTHS will work with community partners to offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic programs of participating students.

For Glenview Middle, activities include youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs; and literacy and related educational services to the families of participating children. Jeff Fairweather, Glenview principal, is excited about the grant money and says the program is sorely needed. "The CCLC Grant and the Lights ON program have provided desperately needed funding and a system of support for our students that did not exist previously. It has allowed us to provide our students with needed academic support as well as develop programs to meet the social/emotional needs of our middle school students." Glenview will receive $130,000 each year for three years of the program.

Teresa Dothard-Campbell is Glenview's Lights ON Site Coordinator. She says the program is very popular with the students. "We currently have 407 students enrolled in the program and see an average of 120 students each evening. Students who attend on a regular basis are making great strides in their academic achievement and the proof is in their grades. Our students are enjoying the partnerships we have established with Two Rivers YMCA, the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and Red Cross; along with enrichment activities through Q.C. Social Dancing. "

Principal of United Township High School, Carl Johnson, oversees their program with Anthony Ragona, Assistant Principal. Mr. Johnson said the program is already having a positive impact on students. "We currently have students participating in English, math, science and reading enrichment and support programs. During our 1st week of spring intercession alone we were able to provide academic help for more than 200 students. We anticipate strong participation in the spring Advanced Placement exams due to several of these programs. The activities offered at UTHS are opportunities students would not have were it not for this grant!"

Glenview and UTHS will join the network of Lights ON CLCs developed by the RIROE and local Rock Island County school districts in 2001. Over the past 10 years, 20 Rock Island County schools have received 21st CCLC grant funds to establish Lights ON Community Learning Centers in their schools. The programs are collaborative ventures that engage community organizations and agencies contributing programs and services. The CLCs are to serve the families of participating students by offering literacy and related educational development activities. Black Hawk College Adult Education Program is the partner who provides the family programming offering family literacy, English As a Second Language, and GED preparation classes. The Lights ON CLCs established under the 21st CCLC program must provide a safe environment for students when school is not in session including safe travel accommodations to and from the center and home.