September 5, 2024
Shawnee State University Development Foundation was recently awarded the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant (21st CCLC) through the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. Benefiting Clay Local School District, the funding will provide support for the “Pawsitive Panthers” out-of-school program. The grant program provides a total of $850,000 in funding over the lifetime of the grant.
“We are pleased to be a part of the funding of these important programs that will impact so many in our community,” SSU Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director of the SSU Development Foundation, Chris Moore said. “Shawnee State University’s commitment to all students – on campus and in our region – is as strong as ever. Funding like this is an investment in students’ futures.”
“Pawsitive Panthers” has a goal of improving proficiency in reading and mathematics among children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Through additional tutoring and hands-on activities, the program allows students to work closely with staff members to advance their developmental skills.
Kathy Goins, SSU Program Director of 21st CCLC, is managing the project through the university and working closely with the team at Clay Local Schools.
“Programs like these have a strong emphasis on learning – advancing literacy and mathematics – but it also has a core focus on developing positive youth skills like family building, attention to attendance, positive behavior, and youth motivation,” she said. “And the students have a lot of fun – they are getting to do activities that can provide a lifelong skill for their futures.”
The 21st CCLC grant, federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education, supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children – particularly those students in economically-disadvantaged areas.
“There’s a lot of community partnerships that are involved with this program and there’s a lot of university support as well,” said Goins, who has managed several similar grants at other local school districts in past years. “Our School of Education majors get involved, and members of our AmeriCorps Project BEAR program do too. It shows that the institution prioritizes being connected to the community and that there is a lot that Shawnee State can offer not just students, but their parents and the staff at the school as well.”
“Pawsitive Panthers” was one of just 21 grants given out by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce this grant cycle. The funding will impact children at Clay Elementary for the next five years.
“We’re really focusing our program on the interests that the kids have,” said Shane Rhea, Principal of Clay Local Schools. “With this grant, we’re working on building a community that our kids have to look forward to participating in and we’re going to impact their education which will in turn give them more opportunities in their future. We’re also hoping to take the program on a field trip, which just gives students a chance to do something they’ve never done before and we’ll bring in guest speakers and activities that introduce them to career paths they have never thought of before.”
The 21st CCLC grant program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academics subjects, offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs, and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
“Being able to work with the kids outside of school hours just gives us more opportunity to help them reach their goals and their potential,” said Stacy Bailey, Assistant Principal of Clay Local Schools. “We’ll be able to work with them on a more individualized level, in smaller groups, and we can focus on areas they truly need help in.”
To learn more about grant opportunities and funding with the Shawnee State University Development Foundation, visit givetossu.com.