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Date: 1/9/2024
Tantasqua Regional School District was recently awarded a $10,000 Safe and Supportive Schools grant.
The grant was formally accepted by the Tantasqua Regional School Committee during its Dec. 19 meeting.
The Safe and Supportive Schools Grant Program emphasizes the importance of creating safe and inclusive schools by providing funds that allow schools to address their challenges. This year, 21 schools were awarded a total of $207,068 of the $596,782 requested, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education stated. Like Tantasqua, most schools received $10,000.
Awardees are divided between two phases of the program: “Action Planning” and “Implementation and Support,” according to DESE. For the 2024 grants, 18 schools were placed in the first phase and three in the second phase. Each phase requires awardees to complete specific objections that work toward that phases’ goals.
Tantasqua Regional School District is in the planning phase. Their funds will be utilized to support the creation of school teams to assess the strengths and needed improvements within the district, Tantasqua Support Services Compliance and Equity Coordinator Coleen DeBari told Reminder Publishing. Similarly, the district also plans to include groups of local families to add their thoughts on the discussions.
Each team will work on the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework Implementation Guide and Self-Reflection Tool, which will guide the district in creating a comprehensive action plan, DeBari said.
In addition, the teams will also complete professional development on “social emotional learning, mental health, anti-racist practices, restorative practices, peer mediation and conflict resolution strategies,” she said.
“Our current school improvement plan focuses on maintaining a comprehensive program of student support and an increased focus of fostering a sense of belonging for all students,” DeBari stated. “This project [the action plan] will directly support and allow for actionable steps forward in assisting the district in effectively meeting these goals.”
While the district has not yet received the funds, DeBari explained that the planning phase will begin in January and end in June.
During that time, the district will focus its action plan on six areas: “Leadership and Culture;” “Family and Community Engagement;” “Professional Learning Opportunities;” “Access to Resources and Services;” “Teaching and Learning that Fosters Safe and Supportive Environments” and “Policies and Procedures,” DESE stated.
After the action plan is finalized, the district will apply for a grant extension to begin the implementation phase. This will likely occur during the 2024-25 school year, DeBari said.