The U.S. Department of Education is honoring Sonora Elementary School in the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ Best Practice Subgrantee Spotlight for its innovative and engaging programming.
“It is always an amazing feeling when you present your staff with a challenge and they exceed your expectations to the point they receive national recognition,” said Janelle Harp, Sonora Elementary School counselor.
The 21st CCLC program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education website.
The program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
Sonora Elementary caught the U.S. Department of Education’s attention for learning opportunities created through a project featuring "Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet. The book tells the story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant and master puppeteer who invented the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons.
The school met two grant goals through the project by improving students' reading comprehension skills and expanding student efficacy, according to the website. Students had to read from many sources to complete tasks.
“This project was challenging at times for staff and students, but in the end, proved to be worth it,” Harp said.
Students learned fun facts that apply to learning across multiple curriculums through the project, including career development, science and history, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The project was a fun way for students to look at the history of America.
Aspects of the program allowed student to discover horses pulled the parade floats until 1939. This required them to look back to understand why they historically used horses, rather than cars, according to the recognition. Students also took a closer look at the American tradition to see how and why it started and learned about the artistic and scientific skills needed to create the annual event.
Students also sketched and planned “parade balloons” of their own. Participants practiced trial and error as they discovered their vision didn't always look the same in real life, according to the website. They had to figure out creation aspects, such as weight distribution so the balloon would float straight and how to carry it so it would appear to be floating.
Students likewise learned new vocabulary, a better understanding of the properties of helium and the design process of professional artists, according to the website.
“Sonora Middle School students walked over to watch our parade and cheer our kids on,” she said of the digital images created of the students’ parade balloon concepts. “We have a great mentorship with the middle school program.”
Sonora Elementary’s 21st CCLC program will be featured on the U.S. Department of Education's webpage now through April 3.
The school is one of nine such programs within Springdale Public Schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education website. Springdale is one of the largest districts in Arkansas with about 23,000 enrolled students. Participating schools serve as mentors for new grantees and take part in local and state training opportunities.