BCHS awarded 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant

By Kelly Stewart

For the sixth year, Benton Consolidated High School has been awarded the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant that provides before and after school activities for students and parents.  The grant was written by BCHS Curriculum/Technology Director Marla Harp and served 262 students last school year.  The 21st Century Program offers dual credit classes with Rend Lake College, credit recovery classes for students behind on graduation credits, before and after school tutoring, and noncredit/ leisure classes as well as parent programming.

During the Spring 2013 semester, eight classes are being offered.  Two of these classes are considered enrichment for students who want to further their educational opportunities while in high school.  Western Civilization II, the first of these enrichment courses, is a dual credit class with Rend Lake College.  Students taking this class receive credit toward graduation from BCHS as well as RLC credit.  Students do not have to pay tuition for the class, providing a savings of $279 ($93 an hour for the 3 hour course).   While we offer several dual credit classes during the school day, without the grant, we would not be able to offer this course.  The second enrichment class, Advanced Biology (targeted to college bound students who want to strengthen their knowledge in science) offers a more sophisticated and complex study of  biological concepts.

Algebra and Practical English, considered credit recovery classes, are also offered during the Spring 2013 semester.  Recovery classes are a very effective way of giving students the ability to graduate with their class by opening up a second chance at a failed course.  Last year, 12 students were able to graduate on time thanks to before/after school classes via the 21st Century Grant Program.

The grant is not limited to academics; we also have some noncredit courses that students enjoy such as Ranger Achievement (Build- it, Fix-it), Principles of Okinawan Karate and Practical Self-Defense, Creative Writing Workshop, and String Chamber.  For example, Principles of Okinawan Karate and Practical Self-Defense instructs students on how to not only deal with but also avoid dangerous situations.  String Chamber, taught by BCHS Band Director Gretchen Bennett, gives students who play stringed instruments (not part of the regular band curriculum) the opportunity to improve their musical skills.

Tutoring and student access to the computer lab before and after school are a vital service provided by the grant.  We are extremely fortunate to have former BCHS Math Department Chair Mrs. Mary Ellen Aiken as our Site Coordinator.   She is  available to assist students with tutoring from 6:45 am-8:00am, Monday through Friday, and from 3:00pm-5:00pm, Monday through Thursday in the library.  During after school tutoring, Mrs. Aiken is assisted by Barb Phelps and student tutor Chelsee Bushue.

Students are not the sole focus of the grant.  Parent programming such as Genealogy, Ipad Training, Scrapbooking and FAFSA (student loan application) Workshops are offered.  Clearly, through the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Grant, BCHS has been able to extend opportunities beyond the normal 8 to 3 day to students.  Mrs. Harp and the instructors and staff have made every effort to make this program successful for BCHS students and to improve it each year.