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PLATTSBURGH — The federal government is giving Plattsburgh City Schools more than half a million dollars to make a difference in the lives of its students and their families.

The district won a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, which is supposed to help the district close achievement gaps and make positive differences in the lives of youths and their families.

"I am told that this funding cycle was very competitive across the state, and Plattsburgh was only one of 60 organizations selected," said Plattsburgh City School Superintendent James "Jake" Short. "They received 387 grant proposals."

The grant, awarded through the New York State Education Department, is for $593,697 annually for the next five years.

LEARNING CENTERS
The program supports the creation of community-learning centers to provide academic-enrichment opportunities for children during non-school hours.

It was designed to help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math.

Funds from the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant are also aimed at offering students an array of enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs, as well as literacy and other educational services to the children's families.

"The Plattsburgh community is very fortunate in that we were able to successfully compete for these funds," Short said.

AFTER-SCHOOL SESSIONS
Using grant funds, the district will operate after-school programming as a collaborative initiative with the Plattsburgh YMCA and the Ted K. Community Center.

Students will be served at Bailey, Oak, Momot and Stafford schools, as well as the Ted K. Community Center, which is located in the Plattsburgh Housing Authority projects.

"The goals of this initiative are to provide opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment that target at-risk students grades K-8 and their families," Short said. "Plattsburgh City Schools will provide quality services that promote academic achievement and enrichment, social awareness, personal growth and physical and emotional health."

DATA BOOST
Successful student-data trends from after-school programs at Momot Elementary and Stafford Middle schools, combined with positive community collaborations, proved vital in the application process.

Noel Stewart, a grant-procurement specialist at Champlain Valley Education Services, was instrumental in assisting the district.

"We could not have accomplished this without him," Short said.

The money will expand opportunities for students district-wide and enable Plattsburgh City School to make significant contributions to closing achievement gaps within the state.

"This will make positive differences in the lives of youth and families," Short said.

UP TO 300 KIDS
The plan is to start programming on a smaller scale at the beginning of the upcoming school year and then build up to the district's target of serving up to 300 students.

"Regular attendees of this program are expected to show continuous improvement on measures, such as school attendance, classroom performance, state test scores and reduced student disciplinary actions," Short said.

School officials will let people know how to become involved with the programs.

COLLABORATION
Other community agencies involved include Clinton County Health Department, American Red Cross, Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, Behavioral Health Services North, Champlain Valley Family Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, North Country Cultural Center for the Arts, North Country Center for Independence, Literacy Volunteers and the Plattsburgh Library.

"The State University Research Foundation will function as a third-party program evaluator of this program," Short said.

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com