Sussex County schools get funding through federal grant program

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Schools in Sussex County are getting financial help through a federal grant program. The federal rural and low-income schools program provides eligible school districts with funding to help improve student achievement.

Help For Cape Henlopen

Cape Henlopen School District (CHSD) is receiving $100,494. CHSD officials say this is the third year they’ve been awarded the funding, and it will help them on a number of fronts.

“Monies from the grant have allowed us to and will continue to help, implement summer programs to aid high school students in credit recovery, continue a Family Literacy Project which focuses on parents’ involvement in learning to read, and will continue to fund the mentor coordinator position that oversees our 200+ volunteer mentors throughout the district,” Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. LouAnn Hudson in a statement to WMDT.

Dr. Hudson also stated that the funds help sponsor outreach events and support multi-lingual students and families.

“We look forward to utilizing the Rural Funds Grant to continue the work we have started over the previous few years,” Dr. Hudson stated.

Propping Up POLYTECH

Officials at POLYTECH School District say they are also thankful for the grant award. The district is awarded $44,132.

“The funds will continue to assist with supporting and preparing our students for successful educational experiences and outcomes,” Superintendent Dr. Kevin Dickerson said in a statement to WMDT.

Dr. Dickerson added that the funds will be used to enhance instructional technology help-desk services and responsiveness for one-to-one technology access.

Sussex Montessori Gets Support

At Sussex Montessori, $13,986 in funding will bolster literacy education with intensive tutoring.

“It’s largely phonics-based, and it really gets to [the students] right at those beginning needs. For those older students, it will provide some literacy circles, and some extra reading with our paperback lunch groups,” head of school, Lisa Coldiron said. “All of that impacts their comprehension skills and later literacy success.”

The money will also be used to support social-emotional learning through group therapy and one-on-one counseling. Coldiron says students focus on learning about how to identify and navigate feelings starting in kindergarten.

“When they do that in a shared group therapy session, then it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m not alone. I’m not the only one that’s experiencing this, having these feelings. I have other folks that I can go to support me in this,'” Coldiron said. “It’s critical.”

“Tremendously appreciated”

Sussex Montessori, which is entering its fifth year in operation, is a public charter school, serving about 430 students from across the county. Coldiron says that more than 50% of the school’s students are at or below the poverty level.

“Any extra support that comes our way is tremendously appreciated,” Coldiron said. “Any time you support a child on their journey, to make that journey better for them, is of value and worthwhile.”

Independence and Collaboration

Coldiron says teaching students how to be independent, but also how to collaborate with others, is a big part of what sets them up for success.

“When I say we honor the way that children learn best, I say that because children need to learn by doing, and Montessori engages children in doing,” Coldiron said. “We have to support our children. This is the next generation of thinkers and caretakers. We need strong leaders, and it starts here; it starts at this  young age.”