After-School Space Shuttle Program at NE High School is Grounded For Good
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A signature after-school program at Northeast High School is among dozens of clubs that are shutting down because of budget cuts in the School District of Philadelphia.
The Space Research Center, a program that for fifty years allowed Northeast students to create simulated space missions, is permanently grounded now. The SPARC, as it was called, was among approximately 30 clubs cut because there was no money budgeted.
"Teachers volunteered to start the programs and hoped that money would come later," says principal Linda Carroll. "So a lot of our programs did get off the ground."
But she says the funding never came, teachers tired of working for free, and after-school clubs were shut down.
Carroll says actor Tony Danza, who shot a reality show at Northeast High, wants to help.
"He's also hearing how much we're suffering, so he's actually planning to come back and do another concert in March to help us out."
Carroll says extracurricular activities such as SPARC are what often keep kids engaged and interested in school.
