After school program free for Chilton Co. Pre-K-6th students for 2022-2023

CHILTON Co., Ala. (WBRC) - Some Chilton County students will have access to free after school programs for the 2022-2023 year.

The Chilton County Board of Education approved the Superintendent’s recommendation that the after school program for students in Pre-K through 6th grade be available free of charge.

The program won’t only help parents’ and guardians’ wallets, it will help with student learning too.

This is the second year Chilton County Schools will be offering the free program. Superintendent Jason Griffin says they expect even more students to participate this year.

“We provide academic enrichment for them, help them with their homework, and provide physical activity,” said Griffin. “The purpose of it is to combat learning loss from COVID and is being funded by COVID funds from the federal government.”

Griffin says with learning loss so high, they hope the program will catch students up academically.

“The program will consist of certified teachers working with our students on their issues related to learning loss,” he said. “When I refer to learning loss I’m talking about those academic areas that we missed out on during the COVID shutdown and online learning.”

He says many students are struggling in reading so that will be a focus.

Griffin adds that it’s the perfect opportunity for parents who can no longer work from home and need to save a little money with the cost of living increasing.

“Especially now with the economy changing, obviously not for the good,” said Griffin. “Just the higher cost of basically daily life for families is increasing and so this was something that I felt like last year and this year was important for our community.”

The superintendent says the program will be held at eight district schools Monday through Friday until 6pm.

The sign-up is easy too. A post on the Chilton County Schools Facebook page said, “Contact your child’s school for information.”

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