Senators visit campus

On Friday, March 12, Senator Jason Bean and Senator Karla Eslinger toured the Van Buren R-1 campus to observe Van Buren R-1’s After School Program. Van Buren is in its 10th year of the Missouri 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant, which provides necessary funding for before and after school programs designed to extend student learning. Van Buren’s 21st CCLC Grant is up for renewal for the 2021-22 school year. 

Samantha Majors, the district After School Program director, stated “Van Buren’s After School Program has directly affected families, students, and staff in many ways. Most importantly, the program gives our students and community security, comfort, and a sense of belonging while providing meaningful instruction to support the regular district curriculum. This program has been there for the community through both good and difficult times, including the 2017 flood and our current pandemic. While this is our last year of the current grant, we hope to be awarded a new grant to continue this successful program.”

The After School Program at Van Buren offers an enrichment curriculum aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards for students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from 3:00 - 5:00 pm as well childcare and tutoring for students from 7:00 - 8:00 am. The Van Buren’s After School Program’s main instructional focus this year has been STEM related curriculum. VBR-1  appreciates Senators Bean and Eslinger for taking the time out of their busy schedules to visit the district and to show support for Missouri public education.   

Pictured are Program Director Samantha Majors, Senator Eslinger, Senator Bean, and Dr. Clay LaRue, Superintendent of Schools.