By Chrissy Alspaugh, The Republic
calspaugh@therepublic.com
The Beacon Learning Centers after-school programs will continue at least four more years, thanks to a $2.1 million federal grant.
Beacon Learning Centers serve about 1,100 students each year at eight BCSC elementaries, according to Karen Garrity, director of elementary education.
The centers are housed at schools with at least 40 percent of students served by the free- and reduced-lunch program and Southside Elementary as a satellite site.
Beacon serves students for about three hours after school and provides homework tutoring, academic enrichment, classes and clubs, parental involvement, character development and more.
Once a month, the centers host school family nights that focus on issues ranging from family literacy and technology to parenting skills and health and fitness.
BCSC's centers originally were funded by a $1.2 million, three-year competitive federal grant. The grant recently was renewed for $2.1 million, which will fund the program for another four-and-a-half years, Garrity said.
Superintendent John Quick said he believes Beacon is "one of the best after-school programs in the state."