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DILLONVALE -- Three elementary buildings in the Buckeye Local School District have received a total of $385,000 to assist students in before- and after-school programming.
The district obtained funding through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. The money will be used to provide programs for Buckeye North, West and South elementary schools, enhancing learning opportunities for pupils.
Susan Bachmann, program manager for the district, said 142 out of 222 grant applications were awarded in Ohio, adding she was pleased to see Buckeye Local was one of those receiving the award.
"We combined one grant with West and North and received $200,000 while South received $185,000 for its after-school program," Bachmann explained. "This program will be funded for all buildings for the next five years . The amount of funding decreases each year."
She noted the grants will be used for programs occuring before school, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and after school, between the hours of 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"These will run from October through April," Bachmann said, adding there will be a summer program which will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3-28 at each building.
West Elementary concluded its previous five-year grant last year, she stated, adding she applied in April to assist all three buildings.
The programs offer a combination of interventions in the areas of reading and math, homework help, technology to complete coursework, social-emotional lessons and character development.
Bachmann said there are many pluses to the program. It is free to all district students, they will receive meals and transportation and they can stay for any length of time at the convenience of working parents and guardians. Site coordinators will be based at each building to ensure students get the support they need, officials said.
"The last time we had programs in every building was at least 10 years ago, so we're happy to get it back," she continued. "I believe this will be a great opportunity to stay after school. They can receive reading and math intervention and enrichment activities. We will also be providing transportation to after-school participants at designated locations within the district."
Superintendent Coy Sudvary said the district had received 21st Century Learning Grants over the years in the various buildings. However, it was the first time in many years that all three elementary buildings were awarded grant funding.
"It will give opportunities to students who need that additional academic support and the flexibility for parents who may have before- or after-school daycare issues for students," Sudvary said. "We are excited to add the summer program to our educational opportunities in the Buckeye Local School District."