Education Grant Awarded to Muncie Public Library

Education Grant Awarded to Muncie Public Library Will Help At-Risk Students at South View Elementary

Muncie Public Library has received a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for its Great Achievers after school program. The program began under the CAPE initiative in 2002 and has been successful in helping students improve grades and ISTEP scores by providing homework help and curriculum support.

The grant period runs on a four y ear cycle with the capacity of providing $448,413 in grant funds over the four years. The first year will provide $134,724 in funding beginning in January and running through May 31, 2010.

The grant will allow the Library’s program to expand, providing four days of academic support for grades 1-3 compared to the current two days a week. “The grant will allow us to add music, art, physical education and field trips to an otherwise strictly curriculum based program” said Denise Gawrys, director of Great Achievers and a licensed teacher. The program will also seek to increase parental involvement, family literacy and life skill information which will be presented at monthly Family Night activities.

Virginia Nilles, Director of Muncie Public Library described the grant as, “great news and a real affirmation for this program and its proven record of success over the past seven years.” She credited the success of Great Achievers to the parents, children and Library employees who are a part of the program as well as the administration, teachers and staff of Muncie Community Schools.

The grant is part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program and is administered by the Indiana Department of Education.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is an after school initiative authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act, Title IV Part B. The program is administered in the State of Indiana by the Indiana Department of Education. Particularly targeted at students in high-poverty areas or low-performing schools, the program helps communities establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities aligned to state standards in core subjects, such as reading and mathematics.

The program’s primary purpose is to award grants, via competition, to public schools, community-based organizations, public/private organizations, faith-based organizations or a consortium of these organizations.