CADILLAC--Cadillac Area Public Schools is getting a grant from Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential or MILEAP, worth more than a quarter million dollars.
The funds will be used for a variety of school programs targeted at the district’s elementary and middle schools.
It’s a grant for a whopping 356,000 that CAPS will use to further invest in after school and summer programs.
Superintendent, Jenneifer Brown, said after Covid they wanted to bring more feelings of connectedness to the school that students could engage in by adding more after school and summer programs
That led them to apply for grants several years in a row that have increased programs.
“We wanted to have a sense of belonging and connectedness. Covid was a whole thing for a lot of people, so we wanted to build out some programing that would help our kids feel connected,” said Brown. “So, we put in place CAPS CREW, which is an after-school program for elementary through middle school students that allows us to provide enrichment programing in areas like arts, recreation, stem, robotics, and all kinds of things, we also partnered with different organizations in the community.”
The parent of a 4-year-old Vikings Learning Center student said expanded after school programs help kids gain exposure. She also said parents benefit from summer programs.
“I think it’s good because a lot of people don’t have that when they have to work during the summer,” said Taylor Rohring. “I know that’s kind of hard for us too, so I think it would be a good way to get more kids involved during the summer.”
CAPS expects to expand to 50 after school and summer programs for the 2025 school year with more than 800 students expected to enroll.
