Mapleton Public Schools Adams County School District No.1 591 E. 80th Avenue, Denver, CO 80229 Phone: 303-853-1000 Fax: 303-853-1086

John Dewey's ExCEL Academy gets more than "Penneys" from YMCA

Students from John Dewey's ExCEL Academy were dancing in the streets of downtown Denver Friday.

About a dozen girls from the middle school's after-school program performed for spectators and local television as part of a celebration of a $25,000 grant through the YMCA, which collaborates with Mapleton Public Schools to run the after-school academy at the school.

The grant will fund program materials, recreational equipment and snacks for over 800 students. The YMCA received the funds as part of a larger grant from the JCPenney Afterschool program, which provides funding for programs that provide safe enrichment and recreational programs for youth across the country.

National statistics point to a clear need for more after-school programs. According to JCPenney, more than 15 million children are home alone with no adult supervision after school. Juvenile crime triples between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. Some 70% of families say they have difficulty finding after school programs.
And students in after school programs show better achievement in math, reading, and other subjects.

The ExCEL Academy provides students access to academic support and enrichment activities, including homework help, martial arts, and salsa and guitar lessons. For more information about the program at John Dewey, call (303) 853-1700.

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