STEAM Grant

"Full STEAM Ahead!"

The Calhoun County School District has been awarded a $700,000 competitive grant to be distributed over the next three years (pending federal appropriation each year) for an afterschool and summer enrichment program for students in grades 6 – 9. All students receive academic services, such as homework help, tutorial services, remediation,and/or enrichment, that are designed to target each student’s identified areas of need. Additionally, all students participate in engaging, enriching program activities that promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and math as well as youth development and physical education activities promoting positive choices and healthy living. Through a partnership with Families First for MS in Calhoun City, programs and services are also offered for parents and families of participating students.

Program goals for participating students include the following:

improved academic performance
increased student engagement
better school attendance and behavior
increased opportunities for family involvement

Students from all three high schools in the county and Calhoun Academy are eligible to participate, and the enrollment window for the 19-20 school year closed on October 31, 2019. The afterschool program began on September 3, 2019, and will operate through May 2020. The program is located at the Calhoun County Career and Technical Center, and students from Bruce and Vardaman ride a bus to and from Bruce High School and Vardaman High School, respectively.

Summer camps will be offered during the summer of 2020, with students recruited for those programs in the spring of 2020.

Family Night!

Parents/guardians of participating students were invited to observe the Full STEAM Ahead! Program in action at 5:00 PM on November 7, 2019, at the Calhoun County Career and Technical Center. Parents/guardians were able to see activities in action, learn how to help their children to get the most out of their educational experiences, and learn what services are available to families from our partner, Families First. We had over 30 parents in attendance and were excited to share the program with them!

FSA Advisory Council Meeting

The Full STEAM Ahead! Advisory Council met at the Calhoun County Career and Technical Center at 5:00 PM on November 21, 2019. The FSA Advisory Council is made up of a variety of stakeholders, including the Project Director, Site Coordinator, a representative from Families First, at least one participating student from each town served, at least one parent from each town served, at least one community member from each town served, and at least two private sector business partners. The role of the FSA Advisory Council is to advise the Project Director and Site Coordinator regarding any concerns or issues and to make suggestions related to the overall operation of the Full STEAM Ahead! program.

The FSA Advisory Council had a very productive meeting, and we sincerely thank all of our local business and community partners, as well as our parents and students, who participated.

How You Can Help - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Do you have something to offer students and/or families to improve academic achievement, provide youth development activities, and encourage family engagement? Are you interested in bettering Calhoun County through community service and/or donations of incentives? We welcome you to bring your talents, expertise, compassion, and student/family incentives to our afterschool program as a volunteer or donor.

Volunteers will be important to the sustainability of the afterschool program. If you are interested in volunteering to tutor or help with the program, please contact Dr. Lisa White.
We will be accepting local donations of incentives for students who demonstrate academic, attendance, and/or behavioral progress. Please contact Dr. Lisa White if you are interested in donating incentives for students.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Program