By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Tutoring and meal opportunities are available to Clanton students this school year as a part of the After-school Supper and Tutoring Program.

Melody Bailey, Child Nutrition Program director for Chilton County Schools, said the opportunity was made possible by $10,000 in additional grant funding the program received from the National League of Cities.

This new portion of the program is open to students from Clanton Elementary, Clanton Intermediate, Clanton Middle and Chilton County High School.

Tutoring and a free meal will be provided at Chilton County High School from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Bailey said children must register for the program by contacting the school and being assigned a time to come. She said the length of tutoring varies, depending on the student’s needs.

For now, the program is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but CCHS Principal Ron Pinson said an additional day could be added as the program grows.

“We have it set up where higher students can meet with students who need some help,” Pinson said.

Student Government Association students, organized by sponsor Kelli Inman, are volunteering as tutors. Pinson said other school clubs may get involved in the future as the need for more tutors arises. He said it was a good opportunity for the high school students to develop leadership skills and give back to the community.

Students under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

Although this is the first year for the tutoring component, this is the second year for the after-school meal program.

“Hopefully, we can increase our participation from last year,” Bailey said. “That’s what it is about — providing more meals to more students.”

While the meals are free for the children, accompanying adults can also eat for $3.75.

For more information, contact the CCHS at 205-280-2710 or Bailey at 280-2992.