Afterschool: 21CCLC Afterschool Programs
Swain County Schools are very grateful to have been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program grant. This means over 250 Swain County School Students will attend afterschool for FREE!
We are also offering pre-kindergarten afterschool services for a very limited number of children for 2023-24 funded entirely by our federal title programs.
Please contact your school's afterschool program teacher leaders if you have questions. Thank you.
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Our Swain County Schools afterschool program is supported by Title IVb: a 21CCLC federal program!
We are also looking for parents who are interested in serving on our Parent Advisory Council for after school and summer programs. Please complete this Google Form if you would like to volunteer.
Afterschool will operate Monday-Friday beginning on Wednesday, August 29, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm for East, West, and Swain Middle Schools. Afterschool will operate when school is in regular session. There will be no afterschool offered on teacher workdays, holidays, early dismissal days, or snow days. A link shows teacher workdays, holidays, etc., and will be updated as possible after inclement weather or snow days to reflect adjustments needed. (21CCLC afterschool services will not be offered at Swain High School this year.)
Students must attend full-time in order to maintain their space. (Full-time is minimally averaging 3 days per week until at least 4:15 IF a student begins at the start of the school year.) If a student participates in athletics and practice will prevent afterschool attendance, parents may optionally choose to add their students participating in athletics to the waitlist at the beginning of the year, and we will reassess after that athletic season is over. After the season is over, the student MUST attend afterschool each day possible in order to meet attendance minimum. Parents are also welcome to discuss unique situations with afterschool leadership.
About 21CCLC Programs:
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) grant serves as a supplementary program that can enhance State or local reform efforts to improve student academic achievement and to support their overall development. In particular, 21CCLC funds will create and expand after-school programs that offer extended learning opportunities for children and their families. The 21CCLC program is a federal title program (Title IV, part B).
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program was first authorized as a national program in 1996, and provides grants to schools, community-based, faith-based, and/or non-profit organizations as partners for the establishment of community learning centers to keep children safe while providing academic and enrichment activities during after school hours. When the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act went into effect in 2001 (and continues as ESSA - the Every Student Succeeds Act,) the administration of the distribution of funding for the 21st CCLC program was delegated to the states. The overarching goal of the state administered program is to establish or expand community learning centers during non-school hours to provide students who attend schools eligible for Title I Schoolwide Program funds (i.e., 40% of students are eligible to receive free and reduced lunch) with academic and enrichment opportunities along with supportive services necessary to help them achieve academically and develop socially, emotionally, physically, and behaviorally.
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2022-2023 Welcome Letter from our afterschool personnel:
Dear Parent:
Welcome to Swain County Schools Afterschool Program. Swain County Schools is working diligently to ensure that any student needing afterschool services will be able to have it.
Thank you for taking the time to read and complete our forms. The information we request is for the safety, improved education and care for your child(ren.) We are looking forward to providing a high quality program for your child. Our program’s focus is on a variety of activities with academic support as its foundation. Our goal is to provide quality programming that meets the needs of the child, supports the parents and works together with the students and teachers to improve academic success as well as create a positive environment for your child.
Afterschool will operate Monday-Friday beginning on Monday, August 29, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm for all of our schools. Afterschool will operate when school is in regular session. There will be no afterschool offered on teacher workdays, holidays, early dismissal days, or snow days. A Swain 22/23 School Calendar shows teacher workdays, holidays, etc., and will be updated as possible after inclement weather or snow days to reflect adjustments needed.
Students must attend full-time in order to maintain their space. (Full-time is minimally averaging 3 days per week until at least 4:15 IF a student begins at the start of the school year.)
Afterschool is closed on teacher workdays, holidays, and inclement weather days. Please see other parts of this site for additional information.