The Lincoln Community Learning Centers (CLC) program has stepped into the national spotlight for being an award-winning beacon of excellence.
 
Lincoln CLC has received the inaugural Champions Award in the Engage Every Student Recognition Program from the U.S. Department of Education. Lincoln CLC was one of only 13 nominees to be selected for the honor.
 
Lincoln CLC Director Nola Derby-Bennett said CLC leaders and teachers were thrilled when they learned about the award.
 
“It was super exciting,” Derby-Bennett said. “We were very honored to be recognized. We didn’t realize that it was a competitive thing when we submitted our information, and then we found out that there were 57 nominees and only 13 were selected.”
 
Lincoln CLC was the only Nebraska-based award recipient.
 
Currently, activities are held at 30 elementary, middle and high school buildings. Approximately 10,000 students use Lincoln CLC services during the academic year, and the organization helps more than 3,000 children during the summer months.
 
Derby-Bennett and LPS Interim Superintendent John Skretta traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Engage Every Student Summit. They shared Lincoln CLC’s success story with city and school representatives from across the nation.
 
Derby-Bennett said the award symbolizes Lincoln CLC’s commitment to engaging every student who walks into local schools.
 
“As we enter our 25th year, it’s a really great affirmation of the dedication of the community to this program and the level of support we have,” Derby-Bennett said.
 
Learn more about the important work the Lincoln CLC program is doing for local students at https://clc.lps.org/.
 
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