Glen Meadow students showcase federal after‑school CCLC program and Treps marketplace
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Summary
Glen Meadow Middle School students presented their 21st Century Community Learning Center program, describing STEAM, art and family nights; program leaders said CCLC is federally funded by the New Jersey Department of Education (year‑five cycle), serves 427 enrolled students and reported a Treps marketplace with $13,700 in sales and roughly $9,000 profit after expenses.
Jacqueline Van Orden, principal of Glen Meadow Middle School, introduced student presenters and staff who described the school’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) during the Vernon Township Board of Education meeting on Nov. 20.
"This is federally funded by the New Jersey Department of Education," said Kate Ramirez, CCLC program director, noting the site is in year five of a five‑year grant cycle and will need to reapply at the end of the year. Ramirez said the program combines academic supports with engaging workshops — including STEAM, art and culinary — and family engagement events.
Student presenters described hands‑on experiences. Matt Bailey said academic time gives him more time on iReady diagnostics and homework; Emmett Paljemas highlighted the engineering and robotics workshop, saying, "Whenever their projects fail or break, they don't get angry, they look at what they have done wrong and improve upon it." Gabby Meyer described art and culinary activities that bring students and families together, and Emma Post outlined family‑engagement nights such as a talent show.
Ramirez said program staff run reports required by the state (anonymized by student ID) and track report cards and iReady data to tailor academic time. She told the board that 427 students are signed up for the program but do not attend every day; the program averages roughly 50–90 students on a given day.
The presentation also included a Treps entrepreneurship marketplace — a student business event — in which sixth‑grade students brought products and practiced marketing. Van Orden and Ramirez said the event generated about $13,700 in sales before expenses and nearly $9,000 in net proceeds after repaying parent loans and covering costs.
Board members and administrators praised the students’ work and asked for details about attendance and academic progress. Ramirez said the state requires anonymous reporting of academic outcomes and that certified teachers staff academic time.
The district’s CCLC leaders and student presenters asked the board to support reapplication for the grant cycle and to continue promoting family engagement; administrators noted the district will track program outcomes and return to the board with any updates on funding or participation.