Photo Courtesy of of the Office of the Governor
The new round of funding can help parents, teachers, and support staff “guide even more students toward the path to success and ensure each and every New York student has the opportunity to thrive,” Gov. Cuomo said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Four of the 15 high-need school districts and community-based organizations set to receive $6.8 million in Empire State After-School Program funding operate in Queens.
First announced in January as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State, funding was enacted in the 2018-2019 Budget allowing districts to receive five-year grants of $1,600 per student. Districts must adopt quality indicators assessing environment, staff-to-student interaction and student outcomes.
Community School District 27, which is based in Ozone Park and serves South Queens schools, will receive $502,000; The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation, Inc. in Community School District 30 will get $672,000; Maspeth Town Hall, Inc. in Community School District 24 is set to get $800,000; and Sunnyside Community Services, Inc., also in CD 24, will receive $160,000, according to the State.
“Support for our students and families in need cannot end when the dismissal bell rings. Community-based after-school programs like these actively engage students in age-appropriate educational and recreational activities, and offer families opportunities for meaningful engagement in their children’s education,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.
The funding will support the availability of 4,250 new slots to these programs, bringing the total number up to 89,000. This funding, in addition to the $2.4 million awarded to Long Island in September, brings the total expansion to $10 million. With last year’s $35 million commitment, the total number of Empire State After-School awards now totals $45 million, Cuomo noted.
“By bolstering our after-school programs across the state, we can guide even more students toward the path to success and ensure each and every New York student has the opportunity to thrive,” the governor added.
