Think Together and Colton Joint Unified School
District have partnered since 2010, supporting 22 of the district's
elementary and middle school students.
COLTON,
Calif., May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Think
Together, California's leading
nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school
improvement programs, is proud to announce it has recognized Colton
Joint Unified School District with its Champion of Change Award at
the district's board meeting on May
2.
Since 2010, Think Together has partnered with Colton Joint
Unified to offer after school and expanded learning programs to
students free of charge, serving more than 3,500 students this
year. Within the district, Think Together runs TK-Kindergarten,
traditional afterschool programs and non-instructional day sessions
for summer, winter, and spring breaks.
"The Champion of Change Award for Think Together is given to
partners that go above and beyond leveraging their resources to
really make a huge impact and difference for their kids," said
Randy Barth, founder and CEO of
Think Together. "This year, we're proud to present this award to
Colton Joint Unified School District for their innovative approach
to scaling academic and enrichment programs so more kids can pursue
their greatness."
By tapping into a range of funding streams including, but not
limited to, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grants
and After School Education and Safety (ASES) funding, Colton Joint
Unified was able to successfully eliminate students off waitlists
for their afterschool programs while simultaneously serving between
150-200 students daily at each of its 22 elementary and middle
schools.
In addition, Colton Joint Unified has integrated various
community partners into Think Together's expanded learning
programs. The programs introduce students to music through Drums
Speaks©️ and Dhasa Care Foundation, theater through L.A. Arts
Group, as well as competitive sports through organizations like the
LA84 Foundation.
"Colton has the unique ability
to see a challenge and face it. They come in and make sure that not
just every student has what they need, but every staff member has
what they need," said Rhonda Scott,
Think Together's General Manager for the San Bernardino Northeast
region. "With the expanded learning opportunity, Think Together has
been able to expand to offer more students and their families the
invaluable opportunity for a safe place to be in the hours after
the school bell rings."
Think Together recognized Colton Joint Unified at the district's
public board meeting held on May 2.
The event was held as one of several events this spring celebrating
expanded learning programs.
"It just brings so much joy to my heart to see what Think
Together does for our community by providing opportunities where
students can be happy and learn," said Colton Joint Unified School
District Superintendent Dr. Frank
Miranda. "It is just transformational. I'm very happy with
Think Together and as long as I am superintendent, we are going to
continue to offer these programs to our community."
About Think Together
For over 25 years, Think Together
has partnered with schools to change the odds for kids. As a
nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and
scales academic solutions to take today's education leaders to the
next level and contribute to a future where every student graduates
with all life options available to them. What started as a single
neighborhood afterschool site, now serves more than 200,000
students in over 675 schools, from San
Jose to Palm Springs.
Through a multi-pronged approach, Think Together's program areas
include early learning, afterschool, school support services and
leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For
more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit
www.thinktogether.org.
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SOURCE Think Together