Palmerton Area School District’s SHINE Program

The Palmerton Area School District’s Schools and Homes in Education (SHINE) program is a holistic, STEAM after-school program that provides academic support to students in grades K-5. The SHINE program was originally funded by a 21st Century Pennsylvania Department of Education Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant that was written and implemented by Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) administrators. SHINE serves Carbon and Schuylkill counties within eight school districts at 12 different sites and assists over 500 students.

SHINE has been a part of Palmerton for years but came to be a part of the after-school program in the 2016-17 school year. Palmerton started out serving only first-graders in school to get the program on its feet. During our first year the district had 20 children enrolled in the program. Since then, every year the program has increased a grade level. Last year it served 48 children in grades K-4. This year Palmerton is serving students from first grade through fifth grade. The program also has a home visitor component for kindergarten students. The district works hard to provide in-school, at home and virtual components of the program to assist students and parents during COVID.

Academics are just a portion of what the district focuses on during Palmerton’s SHINE program. The program consists of a social emotional curriculum, physical fitness, STEAM and career exploration. Palmerton also believes in getting parents and families involved and tries to host family dinners each month. Unfortunately, these family dinners are currently on hold due to COVID, but the district will be holding virtual family game nights instead.

COVID is not slowing Palmerton down. The district currently has enrolled 37 students in grades K-5. As stated previously, Palmerton serves students in person and virtually. the district is teaching students about different careers in many different industries. Last year it focused on the several careers in the design and marketing industry. This year it is beginning to target engineering careers and careers on the farm. Students are building and designing items on the 3-D printer, creating codes on Scratch, designing models and experimenting with ways that will make their model the most successful.

Palmerton’s SHINE program works closely with a neighboring school district’s SHINE program, and the schools have been pen pals for three years. At the end of each year, they hold a picnic in a local park where students meet their pen pals and have a fun-filled day with neighboring friends. Palmerton is hoping to find a way to make this event happen next spring as well. The district looks forward to this collaboration and partnering with other SHINE centers in the future.

Please click on the following link to see SHINE in action:

Please click on the following link to read about our summer 2020 SHINE meals program:
https://www.tnonline.com/20200626/students-receive-meals-through-shine-program/

For additional information, please contact Michelle Davis, Palmerton Area School District’s lead SHINE teacher: mdavis@palmerton.org