By BERNICE PAGLIA
Correspondent
PLAINFIELD -- Parents and students at three schools will gain free access to a rich array of services and activities through a $2.65 million federal grant won by a city nonprofit group, Plainfield Community Outreach.
Executive Director Pamela C. Bye-Erts said the group is visiting Stillman and Clinton elementary schools this week to talk about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which also will serve parents and students at St. Joseph's School in North Plainfield.
Starting Oct. 1, students from the three schools in grades 4 to 8 will be able to take part in programs ranging from rigorous academic tutoring to creating positive message hip-hop videos, learning classical singing or gaining theater and arts skills. A production of "Aida" is scheduled for the spring. Parents can take adult ESL or fitness and wellness classes, get support to stop smoking, learn more about health topics such as diabetes or gain computer skills.
Activities will take place at the offices of Plainfield Community Outreach, at the nearby YMCA or at the schools. Plainfield Community Outreach anticipates 110 eligible students in grades 4 and 5 at Stillman and 130 at Clinton, with 90 in grades 4 through 8 at St. Joseph's School.
Citing improvements on state assessments at Clinton Elementary School as well as numerous special events and programs during school hours, Clinton Principal Christy Oliver-Hawley welcomed the opportunity.
"This collaboration with Plainfield Community Outreach for the after-school program will maximize the potential of all the students who take advantage of this extensive program to be held here at their home school, Clinton," she said.
Wilson Aponte, principal of Stillman Elementary School, said the program permits students to swim and play sports at the YMCA as well as to be exposed to arts activities.
"The 21st Century Program allows the students of the Charles H. Stillman Elementary School the opportunity to experience out-of-classroom activities and specialized events that impact their overall knowledge base and experiences," he said. "As a result, the skills and aptitude they bring into the classroom will be increased."
Sister Mary Cleary at St. Joseph's School could not be reached for comment.
Bye-Erts said the five-year 21st Century Community Learning Center grant was one of just two awarded in Central Jersey in the current round of state-administered federal funding through Title IV of the No Child Left Behind Act. The grant application ran to 60 pages, and the group submitted a 300-page document to compete for the funding.
"It's very competitive," Bye-Erts said, noting only 10 of this year's 37 applicants were approved. The only other one in Central Jersey was Middle Earth in Somerville, she said.
Bye-Erts said she sought out schools "by simply calling around." She said the state Department of Education and the federal government were especially intent on including a non-public school.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the program's goal is to provide enrichment opportunities for students in low-performing, high-poverty schools. The federal grant program began in 2002 and the Plainfield school district previously won a grant for sites at Plainfield High School, Washington Community School and Hubbard and Maxson middle schools.
