Schools Get $2.2 Million In Grant Aid

Spokane middle school kids will have access to more after-school programs next fall with help from a $2.2 million federal grant.

Schools serving low-income children - including Glover, Garry and Shaw middle schools - will benefit from the grant, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative.

Special attention will be given to fifth- and sixth-graders at nearby elementary schools, who will soon advance to middle school, said Mary Brown, student services supervisor for Spokane School District 81.

“We’re going to do a lot with (helping kids) transition from elementary to middle schools at these sites,” Brown said. “We’re going to get real creative with that piece.”

Principals and community members are meeting to brainstorm about how best to use the money, which will be spent over three years. Educators hope to start the programs Nov. 1.

Chase and Sacajawea middle schools will have a chance for similar programs if the district comes up with more money, Brown said. Those schools don’t meet the low-income requirement for the grant.

District 81 was one of 176 districts to get the grant money out of 2,033 that applied nationwide, said Glynis Hull, grant-development administrator for Washington State University-Spokane. Hull helped apply for the money.

Hull said the money will be spent on innovative programs that don’t leave kids sitting at desks for hours. Plenty of hands-on and recreational activities will be included, she said.

“Middle school kids don’t have enough to do,” Hull said. “Our ultimate goal is to keep these kids connected to the schools, the community.”

The district will hire coordinators for each participating school and conduct assessments to see what students - including gifted and struggling children - need most, Brown said.

Middle schools were selected because kids that age are likely to develop or lose a lifelong interest in school and learning, she said. Low-income kids are especially at risk.

“They are unsupervised. They have time on their hands. They end up in trouble,” Brown said.

“This will give us an opportunity to provide adult interaction in a variety of ways that is positive, provides them with life skills and supports their search for competence.”

What’s next Splitting the funds Principals and community members are meeting to brainstorm about how best to use the money, which will be spent over three years. Educators hope to start the programs Nov. 1. The district will hire coordinators for each participating school and conduct assessments to see what students need most.