Weekly Media Roundup: July 16, 2025

Education Department Funding Freeze Targets Summer School and Language Programs that are Lifelines for Families, CNN

As a single mom who works full-time as a janitor, Sylvia in Arlington, Virginia depends on Aspire Afterschool Learning for safe, enriching afterschool and summer learning programs for her 10-year-old son, Gabriel. But right now, Sylvia told CNN, she can’t sleep because she worries the program won’t be able to keep its doors open as the Trump Administration is withholding 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding. Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told CNN that the funding freeze is impacting more than 10,000 afterschool and summer programs across the country: “They can try and keep their doors open an extra few days and extra few weeks, and maybe if they’re lucky they have rainy day fund, but you know that’s a Band-Aid that isn’t going to last forever.”

RI Dept. of Education Recognizes 'National Summer Learning' Week, WPRI 12 (Rhode Island)

This week, Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green is visiting multiple summer learning programs throughout Rhode Island to celebrate National Summer Learning Week. At a stop in Providence, Commissioner Infante-Green met with high schoolers who are learning about financial literacy thanks to a partnership with the Providence After School Alliance and Fidelity. “Our kids [are] learning about financial literacy, understanding how to use it, and the power that it brings. I’m very impressed with their answers,” Commissioner Infante-Green told WPRI 12.

Jefferson County Commissioners Help Fund Afterschool Program, Herald-Star (Ohio)

With financial support from Jefferson County’s OneOhio opioid settlement funds, the Sycamore Center in Steubenville, Ohio will continue to provide enriching and engaging afterschool and summer programming to more than 500 students. “Without this funding, we wouldn’t be able provide art supplies for our art classes or feed kids after school every single day. It takes money to run a program that has 64 after-school classes with over 100 volunteers,” Sycamore Center President Bobbyjon Bauman told the Herald-Star. The Sycamore Center’s out-of-school time programs focus on education, drug prevention and job skills training.

Boys & Girls Club Offers a Sportswriting Program to Students, Oaklandside (California)

At the Boys & Girls Club’s Anna Marie Whalen Branch in East Oakland, California, eighth and ninth graders are interviewing college and professional athletes, learning the tricks of the trade from sportswriters, and writing their own sports columns as part of the Oakland Press Box afterschool program. By tapping into the students’ interest in sports, “coaches” teach writing fundamentals and critical thinking in a new, enticing way. “This program is exactly what our members need to be successful,” Diana Cristales, director at the Anna Marie Whalen branch told Oaklandside. “Writing will give them the tools they need to apply to college, write cover letters for jobs, and excel in the workplace, empowering them to succeed in any career they choose.”