The Lana Learn team in Washington, DC will focus on building strong foundations during the first week of its 21st CCLC program.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) program is set to begin next week at Cardozo High School. The 21st CCLC initiative offers a comprehensive approach to learning by extending education beyond traditional classroom hours. These programs provide students with opportunities to engage in extracurricular enrichment activities. They promote academic achievement, personal growth, and community involvement. The first few weeks of any program are crucial for setting the tone and establishing a positive environment. Building strong foundations and connections with students from the outset has a profound impact on their overall program experience and long-term success.
Our focus on relationship building the first few weeks will create a sense of trust and comfort among program participants. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage actively and openly in the program’s activities. Relationship building also fosters a sense of belonging and community, thus making students eager to attend and engage in activities. This increased motivation translates into higher attendance rates and a more positive attitude toward learning.
Lana Learn staff paves the way for improved communication, therefore allowing us to better understand students’ needs, interests, and goals. This leads to better tailored and more effective programming. Making more space for the student voice is one of our main goals in implementing a successful CCLC program this school year.
We have dedicated the first week to students getting to know each other and the Lana Learn staff and volunteers. Therefore, we have activities planned such as Classmate Bingo and Switch Sides If to get students up and moving and meeting new people. By the end of the week, we will have learned each other’s names, fun facts, academic and personal goals, and hopefully much more!