CAPE ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST CHICAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 33
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Hannah Martin
Hannah@capechicago.org
CAPE ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST CHICAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 33
New CAPE after-school programming at Currier, Gary and Pioneer Elementary Schools and Leman Middle School in West Chicago, IL
West Chicago, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education approved a $540,000 grant to District 33 with CAPE as a co-applicant as part of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) after-school program starting in the 2020-2021 school year and continuing until 2025.
“District 33 is excited for this new partnership with CAPE to continue offering high-quality after-school programming at four of our schools. This program aligns with District 33’s use of a community school model to holistically support student and family success both in and outside the classroom,” said Joie Frankovich, Coordinator of Partnerships for West Chicago Elementary School District 33.
This new partnership is CAPE’s first suburban school district partner for an after-school program and with it, there is a lot of excitement, “The CAPE After School program in District 33 is already off to an incredible start with teachers and teaching artists developing inquiry-based curriculum that is engaging hundreds of District 33 students in explorations of themselves and their community,” said Joseph Spilberg, CAPE After School Project Director.
Each school offers classes for students that qualify for the program in addition to a parent art class. Through this collaboration, CAPE and District 33 bring District 33 staff and local teaching artists together to offer a comprehensive arts-integrated program for students and their families.
Teacher Douglas Orlyk is excited about this new partnership, “I love that we can do drama and literature based activities with very young kids. The fact that we can have kindergarten, first and second graders interacting and learning. We teach them the basics of stories, drama, and acting all while learning about emotions, concentration, and listening to the people around us. They are learning really cool skills.”
CAPE has successfully implemented 21st CCLC grants since 2004 serving 10 schools sites with K-12 students. CAPE serves 6 schools in Chicago across three 21st CCLC grants. This grant will fund after-school programs at four additional school sites in West Chicago, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
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About CAPE
CAPE engages students, inspires teachers, and demonstrates impact by weaving the arts into public school classrooms across Chicago. CAPE supports in-school and after-school programs for students and parents, provides extensive professional development for teachers and artists, and conducts ongoing research in the field of arts education, all at no cost to participating students, families, educators, and schools.
The CAPE After-School Program expands the arts-integrated practices that are characteristic of CAPE’s methodology and which have proven effective teaching strategies in multiple previous studies.
About District 33
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 provides an outstanding educational experience for approximately 3,800 students from birth to 8th grade. District 33 serves the community of West Chicago and Winfield. For more information go to the District’s website.
