Schools receive program grant

An expected 72 pupils are to take part in the
after-school program.

By MARY SMITH

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield schools received a grant totaling $850,000 over the next five school years for a Reading and Math After School program for fifth- through eighth-graders.

The grant was obtained through the Ohio Department of Education. The district spent two years working on the grant application.

Assisting in the effort were Rick S. George, associate director of the Center for Human Services Development at Youngstown State University; and Angela Cameron, research associate at the center. The program is part of the No Child Left Behind Act, Title IV, Part B.

George explained Center for Human Services Development is involved, among other things, in writing grants in the area to obtain funding for school and community projects.

The center serves as fiscal agent and evaluator of the project, and funding will be as follows: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10: $200,000 each year; 2010-11: $150,000; and 2011-12: $100,000.

Program focus

The focus of the program will be Weathersfield Middle School children who are eligible to receive free and reduced-priced lunches, and those who are currently underachieving in math or reading and language arts, based on state assessments such as the Ohio Proficiency Test or on district-administered diagnostic assessments.

The classes will be from 2:30 to 6:15 p.m. after school Monday through Thursday and focus on reading and math. Snacks will be provided, and an expected 72 pupils are to take part in the program, 18 pupils per grade.

The coordinator, Paige Wilcox, will coordinate six hours a day, four days a week, with eight teachers. Three activity leaders will assist the teachers.

George said the plan is to hire Weathersfield teachers first, before going to substitute teachers or aides. Enrichment programs will be built into the classes, such as field trips, the Girl Scouts, or karate instructor visits.

Weight management

The classes will also focus on the weight of children; their weight will be taken when classes start with an eye toward possible future funding for weight management programs. Physical activity will be encouraged.

Middle School principal William Koppel worked with sixth-grade teacher and Weathersfield Teachers Association president Brenda Miele to prepare for the grant.

“I think the teachers will be ecstatic,” he said.

Koppel noted that there are 30 percent to 35 percent of pupils who qualify for free or reduced price lunches at the school.

The team will work with guidance counselors to obtain names of children who may qualify and set up a meeting with their parents.