525 Palisade Avenue

Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

Linda Ludwikowski

lludwikowski@cliffsidepark.edu

County: Bergen

21st CCLC Sites: Cliffside Park Elementary School #3, Cliffside Park Elementary School #4, Cliffside Park Elementary School #5, Cliffside Park Elementary School #6, Cliffside Park Middle School #6

Partners: Jewish Family and Children's Services, Inc., Cliffside Park Public Library, Various NJ Universities and Colleges

Serving Grade Level: 4-8

No. of Students to be Served: 201

No. of Adults to be Served: 100

Times of Services: School year 3:00-6:00, summer 8:00-12:00

Abstract: CPSD is a Bergen County K-12 district serving 3,089 students in grades K-12 in four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The district is applying to address well documented student needs for intervention and support as well as the needs of students' families. The 21CCLC Grant is important to our community because we cannot address the overwhelming challenges currently faced by students, parents, and teachers within the timeframe of the school day and school year and within the limits of our local resources. With some CPSD schools having a Free and Reduced Lunch rate up to 73%, over 70 % of students speaking a language other than English in the home, over 16% of students classified as ELL, a chronic absenteeism rate that is double the state average, our district does not have the resources to adequately prepare students for the rigors of career and college. As a result, they are falling behind their peers in the District Factor Group and across our state. CPHS had an 82.4% graduation rate, with only 79% of Hispanics, 78% of students with disabilities, 46% of ELL and 84% of Economically Disadvantaged students graduating. CPHS students are especially falling behind in math. Only 37% attained math targets compared to 43.5% in the state; Only 10% attained Algebra targets compared to 42% in our state; Only 10% attained Geometry targets compared to 30% in our state; only 12% attained Algebra II targets compared to 28% in our state. Only 31% attained PSAT Math targets compared to 49% in our state and only 51% attained SAT Math Targets compared to 58% in our state.

Meanwhile, in middle school at grades 7 and 8, ALL student subgroups scored below their peers across our state in math and English Language Arts. These issues do not begin in high school and must be addressed far earlier in a child's education. Why is the district failing to attain college and career targets? In 2017, a survey of middle school students revealed that few see themselves as college material because they feel as if they have already fallen too far behind. Therefore, 21CCLC activities will be targeted to grades 4-8 in four elementary schools and one middle school. The identified needs of these sites fit seamlessly with the New Jersey Department of Education's vision for developing community learning centers identified in the NGO. CPSD anticipates that the 21CCLC After School Program will prepare our students for college and careers by providing opportunities to develop skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and other crucial 21st-century skills that businesses need to succeed in the global economy by: Helping at risk students develop strong, positive relationships with adults, building on each student's individual strengths and passions, providing an environment that children affected by trauma develop positive relationships with peers, elevating aspirations while providing challenges each student could attain, providing access to cultural and creative activities that inspire , developing decision-making skills through project-based learning and community service, giving students voice and choice while growing men and woman of character and good citizenship, providing support and resources to help families function, providing English literacy instruction to help families navigate life's challenges.

Through well- established partnerships, CPSD will offer a daily after school program serving 201 students in grades 4-8. With Jewish Family and Children's Service, Inc. (JFCS), the Cliffside Park Public Library, and NJ universities, CPSD will work to create a paradigm change that helps students recognize and develop their potential. JFCS counselors will lead the Social Emotional Learning component of the program by offering character education activities, student and parent support groups, individual and family counseling, and referrals to other agencies. The Cliffside Park Public Library will be the host site for parent training including ESL classes for adults, family literacy activities, parenting skills, Title I training, technology training, and safety and law enforcement presentations. CPSD's experience with similar projects demonstrates that the district is deeply committed to providing a quality education to all students and their families to increase opportunities for an exceptional quality of life.

CPSD is not willing to sacrifice the potential or future of one single child simply because we failed to provide the academic or emotional support needed to create stability. Our goal has been to ensure that all of the hardship and sacrifice they have endured will eventually lead to the fulfillment of America's enduring promise for the families of our community.