Thanks to a federal grant and leftover money from last year, North Callaway R-1 will offer its before- and after-school program to all students for free in 2020-21.
"We want as many families to take advantage of this as possible," said Jason Smith, who serves both as the program's head and as a social studies teacher at North Callaway High School.
Smith made the announcement at Thursday evening's North Callaway Board of Education meeting.
North Callaway has been approved to receive a $239,955 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. This is the fifth of five years during which North Callaway could receive money through the program, funded with federal money through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Since the 2016-17 school year, the district has received $1.56 million through the program.
North Callaway may reapply for the program every five years, as they did in 2015 after their first five-year run with the program.
"We're waiting to receive a renewal application sometime in spring," Smith said.
This year's grant funding is somewhat reduced from last year, but because the district shuttered school buildings in April due to the pandemic, some 2019-20 funds were left unspent. Thanks to those funds, the total budget for 2020-21 is about $317,000, Smith said.
"As a thank-you to the families who've been so loyal to the program, and because we had the closure we decided to waive the fees this year," he said, adding, "I don't believe the fees have been obstructive in the past."
In 2019-20, the program cost $50 per quarter for the year. Students eligible for the reduced-cost lunch program paid only $25 per quarter, and students eligible for the free lunch program could attend free.
The program is available to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade at each of North Callaway's buildings. The morning session runs 7-8 a.m. on school days, and the evening session lasts until 5:45 p.m.
Smith said the district has earned accolades for its program. Students don't just sit around - they take fun courses taught by current and retired teachers.
"At the high school, one real popular class that came up this year is an art-themed class," Smith said. "I think they've had 14 sign up for that."
At Hatton-McCredie Elementary, children can join a Star Wars-themed STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) class or take guitar, among others. Students at Williamsburg might learn about robotics. Each building has unique course offerings, Smith said.
To learn more about the program or enroll your student, contact Smith at [email protected]. Follow the program on Facebook at facebook.com/Tbirdsafterhours.