For Immediate Release
July 13, 2006
Illinois State Board of Education, Rep. Hannig tout
Litchfield After-School Program
“May All Kids Excel Into Tomorrow” program
proves to be successful
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Board of Education
member Edward J. Geppert today joined Rep. Gary Hannig
(D-Litchfield), Litchfield Community Unit School District
12 Superintendent Michael Juenger, parents, students
and educators at Madison Park School in Litchfield
to highlight the district’s after school/summer
program, “May All Kids Excel Into Tomorrow,” or “MAKE-IT.”
MAKE-IT is an after school/summer program designed
for students to learn new skills and discover new abilities
after the school day has ended. The focus of the program
is to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities
for children. Tutorial services and academic enrichment
activities are designed to help students meet local
and state academic standards in subjects such as reading
and math.
The program is funded through the Litchfield School
District with funding from fees, various grants, donations,
and other fundraising efforts. In addition, Rep. Hannig
secured additional state dollars for Fiscal Year 2007.
MAKE-IT was first funded with a three-year grant from
the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century
Community Learning Center program.
The after-school program is open every day school
is in session, even early dismissal days, and allows
students to participate in such academic enrichment
activities as Math Maniacs, bubbleology, theme activities,
foreign language, chess, cooking, and scrap booking.
Since June 2001, MAKE-IT has served over 750 students
in grades kindergarten through eighth-grade by providing
tutoring and mentoring services along with youth development
activities, drug and violence prevention programs,
technology education programs, art, music and recreation
programs, counseling and character education to enhance
the academic component of the program.
“For the last five years the MAKE-IT program
has provided a wide array of after school activities
to supplement and enhance K-8 learning within District
12,” Supt. Juenger said.
Other specific activities include Girls on the Run® which
is a character development program that encourages
preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles
through running.
“We know how important after school programs
are in our communities. The Litchfield school district
has provided an excellent example of how to run beneficial,
educational after school programs,” said Geppert.
The six-week summer program for students in grades
kindergarten through fifth-grade is a mix of arts and
crafts, recreation, weekly themes which are academic
based, reading and math activities.
“Over the last few years, the parents and organizers
have been actively engaged in raising money to support
the after school programs. This will ease the pressure
on our hard-working parents and MAKE-IT coordinators,” Rep.
Hannig said. “Securing the funding for this project
was made possible with the assistance of Gov. Rod Blagojevich
and Sen. Deanna Demuzio, (D-Carlinville).”
“This grant will allow the Litchfield School
District to expand the opportunities for all of its
students,” Supt. Juenger added. “I would
like to thank Rep. Hannig for his commitment to education
and to the students of Litchfield and to Marci Johnson,
MAKE-IT coordinator for her dedication and perseverance.”
"Dreams often begin from opportunity. By giving
more children the opportunity to learn beyond the school
day and participate in fun, educational programs in
a safe atmosphere, we are investing in Illinois' future," said
State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville.) |
