The Durham Public Schools system was the recipient of good news this week in the form of a state grant -- $930,000 over four years -- to tutor students in after-school programs at three schools.

About 200 students at Eastway Elementary, Chewning Middle School and Githens Middle School will benefit from the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, bestowed by the state school board and the Department of Public Instruction.

"This grant is so very important because it is going to give many of our students an opportunity to get additional tutoring opportunities and enrichment in the afternoon," Althia Scriven, DPS director of community education, told The Herald-Sun's Matthew Milliken.

The after-school time is important, because it's when students often leave school and come home to unsupervised activities that can lead to trouble.

These three schools were chosen because many students need additional help to succeed in end-of-grade tests, and the tutoring sessions can help reach that goal.

The program also provides an opportunity to reinforce several community partnerships. For one, volunteer help for the program will be provided by the Ivy Community Center, run by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which has worked with the school district before.

Also, the grant will reach beyond students to their parents to encourage them to get more involved in their children's education. Plans are in the works for visitation days at which parents can visit schools and learn about what their children are learning. And the grant will also provide a practical element -- a ride home for students after the program ends.

Another partnership is with the Durham Housing Authority, which has also won a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. The Housing Authority will expand its services at six of nine Durham housing developments where it holds summer and after-school tutoring for hundreds of students.

"We're just excited about another opportunity to partner with our community," said Debbie Pitman, DPS assistant superintendent for student support services.

It's a great example of many parts of the community coming together to work toward a common, magnificent goal -- helping children succeed in school.