Newburgh Schools Receive $1.4M for 5 Years with Empire State After-School Program

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District was selected to receive a $7,080,000 ($1,416,000 annually) over a five-year period for the Empire State After-School Program.  The Empire State After-School Program funding will serve 1,000 secondary school students attending the following schools: Temple Hill Academy, Heritage Middle School, Meadow Hill Global Explorations Magnet School, South Middle School, Newburgh Free Academy Main, Newburgh Free Academy West and Newburgh Free Academy North.

The district will partner with the Hudson Valley Writing Project to improve writing and literacy skills, the United States Military Academy at West Point for STEM activities, Newburgh Performing Arts Academy to explore dance, visual arts, music and theatre, BurnBright International which will provide mentoring for at-risk teens, and Mount Saint Mary College for additional support with STEM activities during spring recess and the summer.

“This grant will allow us to close opportunity gaps for secondary students and offer them programming after school during critical hours of the day. Effective afterschool programs bring a plethora of benefits to our students. We will offer programs that will promote healthy behaviors and boost academic performance.” Dr. Roberto Padilla, Superintendent of schools.

The proposed Arts, Culture, Enrichment, STEM (ACES) Program will embrace the philosophies of the Office of Child and Family Services to serve disconnected/high-need youth, promote racial equity and cultural competence and help reduce the disproportionate minority representation in the child welfare and juvenile just systems. Services and activities will focus on: (1) improving social, emotional, academic and vocational competencies of school-age children and youth; (2) reducing such negative behaviors as bullying, violence, school suspensions and absences; and (3) providing parents with a safe after-school environment for their children.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!