In recent years, Cannon County Schools has benefited from two grants that fund the Extended School Program (ESP). The ESP program provides participants with an afterschool snack, physical activity, tutoring, homework help, STEM enrichment activities, and health-related activities. Recently, Cannon County Schools received word that one of the two grants had not been awarded to them this year. The loss of grant funding greatly reduces funds available to operate the 2024-2025 school year ESP program. To utilize the remaining grant as judiciously as possible, Cannon County Schools will have to make changes to ensure the continuation of the program.
The 2024-2025 ESP program will begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. In addition, all ESP program sites will run a four-day-a-week after-school program. There will be no ESP provided on Fridays or during the mornings. The reduced funding also requires a decrease in staffing, which may result in a decrease in student enrollment. Finally, the ESP program will only serve elementary students at Cannon County South, Cannon County North, and Cannon County Elementary Schools.
Applications may be obtained at a serving school’s front office or the Cannon County Schools Central Office. Applications should be returned to the child’s teacher or the school secretary no later than Wednesday, August 21, 2024. All applications will be reviewed by the ESP Director and considered for acceptance based on the criteria set forth by the grant requirements. If your child’s application is accepted, you will be contacted by your school’s Site Coordinator before the ESP start date. The first day of ESP will be Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The remaining grant that funds the program requires the ESP program to provide certain services to students daily. To fulfill these obligations, children participating in the program are expected to remain each afternoon until 5:00 p.m. Parent pick-up is from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each afternoon.
Cannon County Schools deeply regret that these changes will create difficulties for families. Cannon Schools thanks families in advance for their understanding and continued support.
For questions or concerns, contact the ESP Program Director, Connie Foster, at connie.foster@ccstn.net or by phone at 629-201-4811 x 2