MUSTO ON HAND FOR PRESENTATION OF EDUCATION GRANT TO LCCC

CARBON, February 25, 2005 – State Sen. Ray Musto (D – Carbon) was on hand for the presentation of a $252,000 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant to Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) at its Nesquehoning campus today.

The grant funding will be used to establish ‘Schools in Homes and Education’ (SHINE) and provide after school learning programs in schools throughout Carbon County for children in grades 1-3.

“After school programs have continued to grow in importance, and have become a useful tool in helping families succeed in the 21st century,” Musto said. “By providing our children assistance in jump-starting their education and offering parents referrals to the community college for workforce training, the SHINE Centers will be a great resource to our communities and our families.”

The programs will be run three hours a day, four days a week, and will provide academic enrichment in reading, writing, and mathematics; homework tutoring; character and relationship building; and cultural, recreational and learning service activities.  The grant will be administered by LCCC and the Jim Thorpe Area School District, the Lehighton School District, and the Panther Valley School District.

“These programs serve as a tool to ensure the future academic success of area children by enhancing what students learn in the classroom with further learning opportunities,” Musto said.

Musto also said a home visitor will meet with the parents of all participants and at-risk kindergarten children to develop a family educational plan.  Other features of the community learning centers will include parent programs and family nights, computer courses for parents, and referral to literacy programs operated by LCCC and Carbon County Area Vocational-Technical School.

“I’m proud to be part of this effort to help our system of education change with the times. The world is changing. The job market is changing. Families are changing,” Musto said.  “I want to thank the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Carbon County school districts and the Carbon County Child and Family Collaborative for making the SHINE centers a reality and allowing area children to excel and adapt to these changes.”

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