After-School Cooking Club in Rural Maine Faces Uncertain Future

SOURCE www.npr.org
An after-school cooking club in a rural Maine school district is preparing for an international food festival, but faces an uncertain future due to potential federal budget cuts. The program offers enriching activities for low-income students and has led to academic and other gains in the community.

Key Points

  • After-school programs like the cooking club can improve student attendance and academic performance
  • Federal budget cuts may threaten the future of after-school programs in low-income communities
  • Collaboration between after-school programs and school-day teachers can lead to academic gains

Pros

  • Provides enriching activities for low-income students
  • Leads to academic and other gains in the community
  • Helps improve student attendance and academic performance

Cons

  • Faces potential budget cuts and uncertain future due to federal funding changes