Seated: Elnardo Webster, Ed.D. ’69 and Harry Laurie ’68 Standing: Cassir Bastien ’12 and Niya LaBoo ’18
Jersey City, N.J. – January 30, 2019 – Saint Peter’s University today announced that it has been awarded a $2.5 million 21st Century Grant from the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Student Support Services. The grant, which will provide funding over a five year period, will be implemented by Saint Peter’s Center for After School and Expanded Learning (C.A.S.E.L.), and will enable the University to partner with three schools in Jersey City: Ezra L Nolan #40 Middle School, Soaring Heights Charter School and Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School. The goal of these partnerships is to create a learning center in each school that will implement a comprehensive approach to the personal development of students.
Research has proven that learning centers increase student achievement and address the social and emotional needs of students. The United States Department of Education created the legislation for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) and distributes the funding to the State Departments of Education for implementation. Saint Peter’s has a long and rich history with the 21st CCLC programs having received three prior 21st Century Grants totaling $3.5 million.
C.A.S.E.L. and the 21st Century grants are managed under the leadership of Saint Peter’s University Athletics Hall of Fame member, Elnardo Webster, Ed.D. ’69. Dr. Webster is nationally renowned for his work in the field of extended day and after school programs. He previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees and as superintendent of Roselle public schools. C.A.S.E.L. also employs Saint Peter’s alumni Cassir Bastien ’12, Niya Laboo ’18 and Saint Peter’s University Athletics Hall of Fame member, Harry Laurie ’68.
The theme of the grant is College and Career Exploration and will serve up to 500 students annually in grades 6 through 8. Students will participate in activities such as robotics, fashion design, cosmetology, music, dance, math exploration, glee club, computer science, recreation and career readiness, among others. Students also get the opportunity to go on educationally enhancing field trips to venues such as the Thomas Edison Museum, Liberty Science Center and the Turtle Back Zoo.
The grant will employ the “Institute of Excellence Model” or I.E.M., which is nationally known as an exemplary model for expanded learning and after school programs. A unique aspect of the I.E.M. is that it provides approximately 50 Saint Peter’s University students annually with internships in various schools and non-profit organizations throughout the community. The University interns are employed to learn all aspects of expanded learning and after school program administration.
“A hallmark of a Saint Peter’s education is service to the community and our students are gaining a deep and meaningful understanding of that concept through the 21st CCLC program,” said Dr. Webster. “They also serve as positive role models to the participants and experience the value of giving back firsthand. The Saint Peter’s interns not only gain hands-on experience as after school practitioners but after graduation they have been able to obtain full time jobs as teachers through their internships with C.A.S.E.L.”
Saint Peter’s University is fortunate to have the following community organizations as collaborators: Urban League of Hudson County, United Way of Hudson County, Jersey City Recreation Department, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Alpha Chapter, Lily Pearl Foundation, College Preparatory Incentive Program Inc., Jersey City Public Schools Department of Career and Technical Education, Roscoe Taylor Insurance Agency and Cara Squared Real Estate.
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Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit www.saintpeters.edu.