Two Rockford elementary and middle Schools partner together, receive $5M in grants

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Whitehead Elementary and Flinn Middle Schools have received a total of $5 million through the Act Now organization.

Act Now focuses on after-school programs and child development. The two schools partnered to become a "Community School", allowing them to apply.

The schools will receive the money over the next five years, using it to implement more after-school programs and expand family and community involvement at the schools.

Some of the benefits could be seen as soon as this summer.

"In our first year, Flinn and Whitehead we're going to partner together to provide a robust summer program that will be offered to all students who attend Flinn and Whitehead, grades one through four, and then Flinn will do our fifth grade through their seventh grade," said Whitehead Elementary Principal Paula Randall.

The summer program is set to include transportation, two meals, learning and an afternoon of fun activities.