Calling all Flint Community Schools (FCS) families! With the school year kicking off in early August, YouthQuest is moving up its start date at FCS sites to Aug. 19.
“As the district moves to a balanced calendar, this school year will be a new experience for many families,” says Nefertari Jones, YouthQuest’s interim program director. “We’re excited for the change and are here to help make that transition as smooth as possible.”
Even though the 2019-20 school year begins earlier for FCS students, the balanced calendar includes the same number of school days as the traditional calendar. It just includes more breaks, called intersessions, which are scheduled:
- Sept. 16-20
- Nov. 4-8
- Feb. 18-21
- April 6-9
- May 26-29
During these intersessions, students who need additional help mastering day-school material will be invited to attend morning instruction at their schools. Through the Flint Community Education Initiative (Flint CEI), these students may also stay through the afternoon to participate in engaging, hands-on activities provided by YouthQuest.
“Flint CEI offers a variety of services, resources and expanded learning opportunities for students and families throughout the school day and during out-of-school time,” says Kerry Downs, Community Schools program manager, Crim Fitness Foundation. “It’s only natural to extend that offering during intersessions as well.”
Flint Community Schools first began piloting the year-round calendar at Freeman Elementary during the 2016-17 school year and was impressed by the outcomes. After just one year following the new schedule, Freeman students demonstrated improved reading and math scores. More than half of students in third through sixth grades met or exceeded their reading growth projections.
“Freeman students and families alike have benefitted from the year-round calendar and I’m confident the rest of the district will as well,” said Anna Johnson, principal at Freeman Elementary, in a news release.
Online applications are open for YouthQuest at FCS. To apply, visit: https://bit.ly/2YR5xzr
Please note that there will be a separate application process for intersession programming, which will begin closer to the start date of each break.
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YouthQuest is made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
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