Cardinal Community Learning Centers - CCLC

🎉 Join CCLC for this FREE, fun Family Event!

🗓️ Friday, October 23
🕰️ 4:00-6:00 PM
📍Crete Intermediate School

Bring your family for an evening of fun, learning and connection!

🌮 Food
🧠 STEM Activities
🏀 Games
ℹ️ Resource Stations
🪎 Prize Wheel

We hope to see you there! 💡

Lights on Afterschool Family Engagement Event All K-5 families are invited to attend this event as we celebrate keeping the lights on afterschool...

🎲 Back to School Family Night at CCLC!

Kick off the new school year with friendly competition and quality family time as CCLC hosts an evening focused on board games, fun, and connection.

📅 Friday, September 18
⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Crete Elementary School (Please enter through Door #1)

We can't wait to see you there!

✨ Looking to make a positive impact in your community?

Whether you are seeking paid employment, want to pay it forward as a volunteer, or are ready to partner your organization with us, we have a pathway built for you!

Check out the graphic, scan the QR codes, or click the link below to find your fit to become involved today!

https://crete.schoolspring.com/

All organizational partnerships opportunities can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 402-826-9836.

🎒 Registration for Cardinal Community Learning Centers (CCLC) will open at 9:00 AM on July 1, 2026, as part of the district's registration event.
✅ Registration is required for any K–5 student wishing to attend CCLC during the 2026-2027 school year.
💻 Register online at: https://www.creteschools.org/page/cclc
📍Or register in person at the Cardinal Welcome Center (930 Main Ave)
📅 Registration is required every year.
🔴 Limited capacity – With priority to students who qualify for:
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- English Learner
- Special Education
- Migrant
💬 Once submitted, a CCLC team member will contact you in early August to confirm enrollment or waitlist status.
💥 CCLC remains FREE of direct charge thanks to federal support from 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants, and several supplemental funding sources, including from Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and many others!

Crete Public Schools
Crete Elementary School
Crete Intermediate School
St. James Elementary - Crete NE
City of Crete, NE
The Crete News
NDE Family-Community Engagement

📚 Connecting Generations Through Literacy

One of CCLC's most meaningful partnerships has been with Kristine Crawford, Activity Director at Eventide Nebraska in Crete. Through this connection, our students had the opportunity to participate in a special club called Generations Connect.

Before each visit, students read books aloud while CCLC staff prepared activities such as crafts and coloring pages that connected to the themes of the stories.

During their visits to Eventide, students read to residents and then worked side-by-side on the activities together.

These intergenerational gatherings created lasting memories and meaningful connections for everyone involved. Students gained confidence in their reading skills, developed communication and leadership abilities, and experienced the joy of serving others. Residents enjoyed the energy, enthusiasm, and companionship the students brought with them.

The impact of these visits was clear, especially when students couldn't wait to sign up for the next Generations Connect event!

We are grateful to Kristine Crawford and the Eventide community for partnering with us to create opportunities that bring people together, foster literacy, and strengthen connections across generations.

This program truly demonstrates how reading can build bridges, spark conversations, and create friendships that span generations. ✨

📚🤝 Building Literacy and Future Educators Together!

For the past several years, CCLC has proudly partnered with Tiffany Young, Associate Professor of Education at Doane University, to provide meaningful learning experiences for both our students and future educators.

Through this partnership, Doane Education Scholars visit our afterschool program to conduct interactive read-aloud sessions with CCLC students.

Before each visit, the scholars carefully prepare lesson plan templates and rubrics, then record themselves while reading and engaging with students. Afterward, they reflect on their experiences to continue growing as educators.

Our students enjoy meeting new Doane scholars and look forward to these special visits. They eagerly participate in discussions, ask thoughtful questions, and build connections with university scholars who are preparing for careers in education.

This collaboration provides valuable real-world experience for future teachers while fostering a love of literacy, learning, and curiosity among our students.

We are grateful to Tiffany Young and the Doane Education Scholars for their continued partnership and dedication to making a positive impact on our students' lives.

Thank you for helping us create meaningful learning opportunities and inspiring the next generation of readers and educators! 📖

🧱🏃‍♀️ Science in Motion at CCLC!

Students at CCLC recently put their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills to work in our LEGO Education Club using LEGO® Education BricQ Motion Essential sets!

Through hands-on activities focused on sports and movement, students explored physical science concepts such as forces, motion, and interactions. By building, testing, and improving their creations, they discovered how and why things move—all through active learning and experimentation.

These engaging experiences help students strengthen problem-solving skills, work as a team, and develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts in a fun and interactive environment.

We love seeing our students learn through exploration, curiosity, and play while building skills that will serve them both in and out of the classroom! 🚀🔬🧩

🥚 Giving back to our community, one Easter egg at a time!

🐣 Students from CCLC recently partnered with the Crete Chamber of Commerce to help prepare for their annual Easter Egg Hunt by filling hundreds of Easter eggs for local children and families.

This volunteer project has become a favorite CCLC tradition, with students participating year after year. They always look forward to helping bring a little extra fun and excitement to this beloved community event.

We are proud of our students for demonstrating service, teamwork, and community pride while making a positive impact in Crete.

A special thank you to the Crete Chamber of Commerce for giving our students the opportunity to be part of this fun and meaningful project!

📚🐾 Mystery Reader Magic at CCLC! 🐾📚

Third-grade students attending CCLC at Crete Intermediate School were thrilled to welcome Jessica Wilkinson, Director of the Crete Public Library, as a Mystery Reader!

Jessica read "Rescue and Jessica" by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, a heartwarming story about friendship, perseverance, and the special bond between people and dogs.

To make the experience even more memorable, Jessica brought along her own dog, Ginger, who happens to be a rescue dog! Students were excited to meet Ginger and spend time with such a special guest.

Jessica also shared about her role as Library Director, giving students a glimpse into her career and answering their many thoughtful questions.

Before leaving, she surprised each student with a 3D-printed dog that she created using the library’s 3D printer, showcasing one of the many innovative services available at the Crete Public Library.

Thank you, Jessica and Ginger, for creating such a meaningful and engaging experience for our students.

Opportunities like these help bring stories to life, connect students with community leaders, and inspire a love of reading and learning!

🏈 A huge THANK YOU to Doane University Football for spending time with CCLC students during the 25-26 school year!

Our students had an amazing time playing football 🏈, basketball 🏀, soccer ⚽, board games 🎲, and their all-time favorite — gaga ball! 🙌

The energy, kindness, and enthusiasm these student-athletes brought to the afterschool program made a lasting impact.

It was wonderful to see students building positive relationships, staying active, developing new skills, and creating memories alongside such outstanding role models.

We are incredibly grateful for the time, effort, and encouragement the Doane University football players shared with our students.

Thank you for investing in the youth of our community and helping make afterschool learning and enrichment so special! 🌟