Press Release: 02-09-2012

Students in Waukegan Public Schools’ 21st Century STARS ( Successfully Targeting and Reaching Students ) program recently took part in a college visit and track & field clinic last month at Kenosha’s Carthage College, where they had the opportunity to explore the various facets of college and the college experience.

The day-long visit kept with the STARS’ mission of creating new life skills for students, while also promoting physical fitness. The visit marked the first time many of the 160 students had set foot on a college campus.

“The middle school and high school students who participated in the visit to Carthage were awed by the campus and all the possibilities that await them in college,” said Mr. Michael Gonzalez, 21st Century program manager. “It’s experiences like these that really open up students’ minds.”

21st Century STARS is funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Education and Illinois State Board of Education. STARS provides academic, life skills and enrichment activities for more than 500 Waukegan students at the elementary, middle and high school level. District 60’s STARS program is funded through three grants totaling $1,029,864 from the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant.

At the elementary school level, 150 students from Clearview and Glen Flora Elementary participate in the program, which offers academic assistance, life skill programs, and enrichment activities, such as martial arts and dance. The elementary program is funded through a $216,000 grant.

More than 250 students from all five of Waukegan’s middle schools participate in the middle school program, which includes various activities such as graphic design, music production, traveling sports, I-Pad, fun and fitness. The middle school program is funded through a $553,864 grant.

At the high school level, 120 students participate in an arts and multimedia-centric version of the STARS program that introduces participants to athletics, multimedia productions, photo and video editing and college tours. The high school program is funded through a $260,000 grant.

Waukegan students have benefited from the STARS grants for eight years. At the conclusion of this academic year, both the elementary and high school grants conclude. District 60 will need to apply for new competitive 21st Community Center grants in the spring to continue service at both of these levels. The middle school grant does not expire until the conclusion of the 2014/2015 academic year.

Email Contact: nalajakis@wps60.org

STARS students learn proper starting line technique.