Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) and Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) have teamed up to provide after-school programs for students at Jenkins Elementary School and Lawrenceville Elementary School. Named Grizzly Academy Dreamers, the GGC program serves 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at the schools. GCPS provides bus transportation, school resource officers, and snacks for students. The initiative is funded by a $1.75 million federal grant spearheaded by its director, Dr. Amber Jarrard Ebert, assistant professor of science education and secondary education department chair at GGC. The program's overarching goal is to create a community learning center that provides a safe and productive environment for children after school, in addition to resources, opportunities, and services for their parents.
Dr. Ebert explains, “Currently, we offer STEP classes, STEAM (science, engineering, technology and math), journalism, entrepreneurship, art, self-awareness, coding, drum, and social-emotional learning classes during the sessions.” Student goals are rooted in academic support as an extension of the school day and include enrichment opportunities designed to bring in arts, expression, leadership, and good citizenship. The program is different than others because it also includes instruction sessions for parents for topics including English as a Second Language, career assistance, and budgeting.
Monique Smith, whose son Jeremiah is a 3rd grader at Jenkins Elementary, is impressed with what she has seen. “It has really affected him in a good way,” Smith shares. “I will do anything I can to let people know about this wonderful program. I’d encourage other parents to enroll their kids and watch how they grow from this.” The program exposes students to a college atmosphere at an early age, significantly improving the probability that they will seek higher education later in life. Grizzly Academy Dreamers currently serves 80 students with plans to expand its enrollment and curriculum offerings.
“I have a long history with this grant and have worked with many school districts and non-local education agencies in a variety of capacities over the last 15 years,” Dr. Ebert shares. “I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these programs can make on families and communities, so I am very thankful for the tremendous support we’ve experienced.”