21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program

Since 2001 CCCS has provided extended learning opportunities for students and families through summer, Saturday, and before and after school programming funded by 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants. Currently the school has two such grants – “Cohort 4” (first awarded in 2007) and “Cohort 5” (awarded in spring 2010).  

Our 21st CCLC Cohort 4 grant funds our “TNT” program. CCCS and the Nia Center of the Freeman Cultural Complex collaborated in designing the program that addresses academic and social needs of middle school aged students. Program activities empower students as learners through attention to individual learning styles; multi-media/fine arts approaches that integrate the senses; and learning that is student/family-centered and student/family-driven. Specific activities have included: African American history; art classes / arts and crafts; computerized games/internet research; creative writing, poetry, drama; dance classes (including African dance, ballroom, hip hop, and jazz); double Dutch jump rope; games and recreation; local history tours; mentoring to prepare for higher education and career success; music lessons (guitar, hand drums/percussion, piano keyboard, song writing/CD making, violin and voice); runway fashions; service learning projects; and stepping.

New in 2010: Our 21st CCLC Cohort 5 grant funds the following extended learning opportunities for students and their families:

SUMMER SCHOOL 2011 (grades Pre-K, K, and 1): The summer program offers young children hands-on science activities, math readiness experiences, and cognitive learning opportunities in a language/literature rich environment. The program conducts activities both in partnership with the public library and in collaboration with the CCCS early learning staff to teach parents how they can help their children develop reading/school readiness at home and/or in the library. The summer school also offers trips designed to broaden children’s cultural exposure and concept development needed as the foundation for reading comprehension. These trips offer students exposure to the world beyond their immediate community, first steps in diverse cultural and global education.

Please click here for the 2011 Summer School Bus Schedule

EXPANDED AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES (grades K through 5): The program will invite students to enroll in a comprehensive program of before school, after school, and Saturday programming that includes variety and high interest activities that enhance the school day curriculum and result in enthusiastic student engagement. Parents will be invited to take part in special Family Literacy events at the public library.

BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM: The before school program will offer students academic enrichment targeted to meet their needs for reading, math, and/or science skills development through high-quality, hands-on learning activities; 30 minutes of organized physical activity every day; a nutritious breakfast; and supervision of caring adults in a safe environment. Program staff will communicate with the children’s school day teachers to know what type of academic support each child needs.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Theme-based programming will focus on the culture, food, dance, art, music, poetry, geography, climate, and customs of various continents. Academic enrichment activities will be designed to address PA standards in all curriculum areas of the regular school program via various hands-on, experiential, and/or technology based modalities. Children will have the opportunity to make big murals, read books about people from other cultures, enjoy celebrations featuring food, art, and music and/or play the sports, music, and rhythms of people on other continents. Children will be able to communicate with children in other countries via Skype; and develop multi-media projects about life in other parts of the globe. Project partners will offer students mentoring, character development, and service learning projects.

SUPER SATURDAYS: The program will offer students additional academic enrichment opportunities on 18 Saturdays each year. Ten of these will be for 20 students to attend the “Dare to Soar” program provided by the Swarthmore College Black Cultural Center; college students provide CCCS students Africana cultural material, resources, and mentoring during ten full-day sessions (5 per semester) on campus at the College. The 21st CCLC will also offer trips and school based activities to further enhance the academic enrichment programming.

PARTNERS: The program has 18 signed Letters of Agreement from collaborating organizations; each partner plays an important role in implementing the program. These partners include, but are not limited to: the J. Lewis Crozer Library for activities designed to foster a love of books in children and families; MAC Association for DJ lessons, and other spoken arts; Earth Force for environmental education and service learning; the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for nutritious snacks and meals; Crozer-Chester Medical Center for nutrition education; Chambers Foundation for soccer lessons; Delaware County Family Centers for parenting classes; and Swarthmore College for academic enrichment to develop students’ understanding of Global cultures. Several partners will facilitate mentoring, character development activities, and service learning clubs and projects; these partners include Big Brothers / Big Sisters; Girl Scouts; Team Mac; the Rotary Club of Chester; and Swarthmore College.