By Andy Klotz—
Funds to aid early learning literacy, teacher training, building security
Muncie, Ind. – Four grants totaling $825,000 will allow Muncie Community Schools (MCS) to improve young students’ literacy, help train teachers and increase security at MCS facilities. The funds come from various entities in the following amounts:
- $500,000 from the US Department of Justice’s School Violence Prevention Program
- $100,000 from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security
- $225,000 from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) – $150,000 for a 21st Century Learning Center program and $75,000 for teachers’ professional development
“We’re fortunate to receive these awards that will allow us to continue to move the district forward in a number of important areas,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “We had to beat out many other applicants for these funds, which indicates that others believe in our plans and what we’re doing to provide the best learning environment possible for our students and staff.”
The grant from the Department of Justice will allow new, high-quality security cameras to be installed in strategic locations across all MCS campuses. The Homeland Security grant will provide portable radio equipment and window security wraps that will increase overall safety.
The IDOE’s 21st Century Learning Center program grant is federally funded and will help establish a new afterschool and summer learning program, “Amazing Astros,” at Grissom Elementary School. Done in partnership with the Muncie YMCA, this literacy-based program will include grades K-3 during the first year (2021-22) and extend to grades 4-5 the following year.
The other IDOE grant will allow MCS teachers to participate in Ball State’s remote learning series that will focus on improving teachers’ online teaching skills and help develop anti-racist social studies curriculum to meet the district’s civic engagement initiative.
For more information on these programs and other district developments, please visit muncieschools.org.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org.
