Six Muskogee Schools Receive State Department of Education Grants
Launch the media gallery 1 playerMUSKOGEE, Okla. - Six Muskogee Public Schools’ sites were named recipients of the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s High-Quality Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs grants.
OSDE announced Monday that 68 schools and community partners have received $18.1 million under the program following a competitive grant process. Applicants were required to apply with an organization or school in order to establish or expand a school-based partnership.
Muskogee Public Schools will receive nearly $1.7 million, over the three-year program funded through June 30, 2024, as part of the grants awarded to Tony Goetz Elementary, Cherokee Elementary, Creek Elementary, Irving Elementary, 6th & 7th Grade Academy at Ben Franklin, and 8th & 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson for afterschool programs.
Learn more about the programs at those six sites:
Tony Goetz Elementary - Roughers STARS Program - Youth Volunteer Corps of Muskogee
With the gaps in instructional services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roughers STARS Program at Tony Goetz will target those specific needs of students specifically in math and reading. Roughers STARS will focus on Arts Education which has benefits both academically but also decreases discipline infractions among enrolled students. Additionally, students will participate in physical activities that help students learn sportsmanship and teamwork while also providing positive health benefits.
Cherokee Elementary - Pathway to SOAR - St. Mark Baptist Church
Built to support the well-rounded and educational achievement of scholars, Pathway to SOAR will mix volunteers from community partner St. Mark Baptist Church and certified classroom teachers to address the academic, social and emotional, and physical education needs. Individual and small group settings will allow certified teachers to address the academic needs of students while following up with a scholar’s classroom teacher to ensure progress is achieved. Scholars will participate in Project-Based Learning opportunities which develop critical thinking skills, collaboration, and teamwork.
Creek Elementary - Club Invention at Creek - National Inventors Hall of Fame
Club Invention will prepare students for the future through their knowledge and problem solving skills and how to gather and intuitively evaluate evidence to make decisions. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics curriculum will provide rich and diverse opportunities to practice the crucial kinds of skills need for students as they head into the future. Themed modules focused on giving students a strong foundation in STEAM will be incorporated from National Inventors Hall of Fame which has created the project-based learning model that will be the foundation for Club Invention.
Irving Elementary - Irving RISE After School Program - First United Methodist Church
Through a blended model, Irving RISE will incorporate active learning with built-in social and emotional support pieces for student participants. The key element for Irving RISE will be targeted academic tutoring and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities that increased student engagement and allow for social and emotional learning.
6th & 7th Grade Academy at Ben Franklin - 6th & 7th Grade Project S.H.A.P.E - Antioch Temple of Hope Church
Project S.H.A.P.E. (Socialization, Health, Arts, & Physical Education) is designed to focus on the academic, physical education, and social and emotional needs of our students who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through intentionally planned and designed activities, students will attain proficiency of Oklahoma Academic Standards. The program will feature interdisciplinary units like geocache, photography, enrichment activities like dance, yoga, soccer, and guest speakers among others, sewing club, rebuilding computers, the arts including painting, musical instruments, and so much more.
8th & 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson - After School Community Engagement (ACE) - Muskogee Parks and Recreation
After School Community Engagement (ACE) will provide students with experiences lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Additionally, students will be provided with academic support to close the learning gaps created by the pandemic. A community partnership with Muskogee Parks and Recreation will provide mentors to address the social and emotional needs of students by building self-worth and self-esteem. Students will participate weekly in service-learning projects that will build their civic leadership skills and become more engaged with their community.
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