October 17, 2001

C.A.N. do after school activities

Community Action Network provides on site programs

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       There is more to do after school at five Traverse City Elementary schools these days. In conjunction with the After School Alliance, Traverse City Area Public Schools has launched the Community Action Network, or T.C.A.P.S. C.A.N. providing on site programs for students, and the school community in general, at the end of the school day and on Saturdays.
      Funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Community Action Networks will provide extended learning opportunities for local school community residents at Blair Elementary, Glenn Loomis Elementary, Interlochen Elementary, Sabin Elementary and Traverse Heights Elementary.
      Beginning this week, each school, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Traverse, will offer programs on Tuesday through Saturday for school aged youth. Programs will include tutoring, homework assistance, character enrichment activities and recreational offerings.
      "Our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club is just the first of many such partnerships," said Alison Arnold, Community Learning Center director.
      "Our goal is to eventually offer programs for all age levels within the school communities, including English as a second language classes, parenting classes and other adult education offerings as well as counseling services and health visits."
      By receiving the $750,000 grant, to be disbursed over three years, Traverse City Area Public Schools joins 308 school districts nationwide to receive nearly $206 million serving 1.2 million children and 400,000 adults.
      Local schools chosen to participate in the T.C.A.P.S. C.A.N. program were selected based on the ability of the program to impact the needs of the community, noted Arnold. The goals of the program are to:
      - Improve student achievement
      - Improve student and community attitude regarding school through establishment of constructive relationships
      - Improve the community's level of health and safety for all citizens
      - Improve literacy, educational and technological competencies for all citizens
      - Increase English proficiency in homes where English is a second language
      - Improve school readiness for children from birth to five-years-old
      Each school kicked off the program by holding an open-house last week in celebration of "Lights on After School Week." A wide variety of events included "Survivor/Africa" school carnival at Blair Elementary, a family and community arts and crafts fair at Glenn Loomis Elementary and a family and student pizza and pumpkin carving party at Traverse Heights Elementary.
      For more information on the Community Learning Centers, contact the building coordinator at each site or project director, Alison Arnold at 933-8995.