Rep. Brian S. Dempsey, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
John Greenleaf Whittier School in Haverhill is one of 16 schools in the state to be a designated “21st Century Community Learning Center,” aimed at closing “student achievement gaps” and supporting “career and college preparedness and foster student engagement.”
A $145,000 grant, administered by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), supports expanded learning time and out-of-school time (ELT/OST) as well as “support professional development for adults.” Haverhill Rep. Brian S. Dempsey, House Ways and Means Committee chairman, along with Sen. Kathleen A. O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport) and Reps. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) and Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen) made the announcement Wednesday.
“This grant will give Haverhill Public Schools the capacity to provide new teaching opportunities and after school programming that will meet the diverse needs of our students,” Dempsey said.
DESE received 44 applications representing 64 sites and selected 15 districts and organizations, representing 16 sites, to share $2.7 million annual funding the next three years, according to a statement.
“This grant will create new opportunities for extended learning time after school which will strengthen students’ skills and achievement,” O’Connor Ives said.
The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Education. “These critical funds for ELT will help to support college and career preparedness, close student achievement gaps and bolster student engagement,” DiZoglio added.