For Immediate Release

Dear Community,

TOGETHER! and North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) are proud to announce selection by Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program for Cohort 20, track B, for multi-year grant funds to establish a TOGETHER! Club House after school and summer enrichment program at Mountain View Elementary and continue the same services at Lydia Hawk Elementary at no cost to students or families. It is important to not that the full funding requested was not awarded; all grantees selected for funding were offered 90% of the requested amount. Further, renewed funding for years 2-5 of this grant are contingent upon federal education funding to Washington State.

TOGETHER!’s Club House program provides safe, welcoming, and culturally responsive learning spaces for students. The program emphasizes project-based learning, STEM and arts education, and bilingual programming in English and Spanish. It also integrates social-emotional learning, case management, and support for basic needs, creating a holistic, student-centered environment.

Offered from October through June, Club House will serve Lydia Hawk Elementary and Mountain View Elementary after school as well as Chinook and Nisqually Middle schools via a separate OSPI grant; all sites will offer summer sessions. The program is 100% free, includes transporation, and is staffed by a highly trained, often bilingual and bicultural, team of youth development professionals.

For over two decades, NTPS and TOGETHER! have collaborated to deliver Club House programming at half a dozen schools utilizing the invaluable support of OSPI’s 21st Century grant funding to enrich the lives of students, families, and our local communities together. Schools must meet academic and income criteria to be considered for funding.

Anyone wishing to learn more or view the grant can reach us at .

Sincerely,

TOGETHER!