District receives grant funding to enrich educational opportunities

District receives grant funding to enrich educational opportunities

Walla Walla Public Schools students will have more opportunities to enrich their educational opportunities thanks to the recent announcement the district is a recipient of the highly competitive federal grant referred to as 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Walla Walla Public Schools will receive $415,708 for the 2008/09 school year and be eligible to apply for continuing funding in the coming years.

The grant is awarded up to five years contingent upon annual renewal based on continued federal resources and grant performance. Funding provides academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session such as weekends, holidays, or summer break.

The primary focus is students' academic achievement, with emphasis on math and science. This approved program is referred to as "3(R)=Relationship, Relevance, Rigor" .

The amount of "services" this award will bring to each building, including the cost of their site director, is as follows:

• Blue Ridge Elementary: $ 77,313
• Garrison Middle School : $ 91,064
• Pioneer Middle School : $ 80,664
• Lincoln Alternative High School : $ 79,889

"Services" for all 4 buildings will include: a site director, content tutors, enrichment tutors, WASL prep tutors, daily activity supplies, and Fulcrum Math games & manipulatives. Blue Ridge will have funding to provide transportation for the after-school program to help get students home.

Garrison's funds include $6,500 for childcare during Garrison Night School. This amount is up from $4,700. Lincoln 's funding includes start up costs for the site director such as a laptop and printer. There is an additional component for $5,000 in software upgrades for the Wa-Hi Video Club to provide on-line lessons.

For more information on the district's 21st Century Community Learning Centers, contact Assistant Superintendent Linda Boggs at 509.527.3000 or by e-mail: lboggs@wwps.org .