SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — After-school programs are back in line with a new school year. But not all students have access to the service, and daycare can be hard to find.
The Sioux Falls School District is working to change that by partnering with community organizations to pilot a new after-school program.
After-school programs can be expensive, so not all families enroll their children.
But that’s no longer the case at Laura B. Anderson Elementary School, where a $1.2 million grant is helping to close the gap.
“We received a 21st Century Grant, which is distributed by the Department of Education, and which is going to support four of our title schools here in Sioux Falls, specifically provides after-school programs for children at little or no cost said Rebecca Wimmer. , Community Partnerships Coordinator with the Sioux Falls School District.
The Sioux Falls School District is working with local nonprofits for a pilot program in four schools.
“So in this first pilot year together, our great people combine with their great people to operate side by side,” Hanson said.
“If we are able to partner with our nonprofits that already serve children in separate buildings, nothing needs to be created to combine our programs into one and become as effective as possible,” Wimmer said.
In addition to making after-school programs more affordable, they want to help every student succeed in the classroom.
“We’re really focused on providing nurturing programs with the goal of helping kids really improve their academic performance in math and reading,” said Sarah Hanson, executive director of children’s services, at the Youth and Family at Volunteers of America South Dakota.
The goal is to one day extend this program to the entire district.
For more information about the pilot program, including locations, click here.