KINGSTON, R.I. ā Aug. 21, 2023 ā The University of Rhode Islandās Feinstein College of Education has been awarded a $325,000 grant as part of Gov. Dan McKeeās Advancing Learning Beyond the 180-Day School Year program, which supports the stateās extended learning programs.
The South Kingstown Year Long Learning Support grant will establish a partnership between the Jonnycake Center for Hope and 911±¬ĮĻ to provide academic tutoring for students in the South Kingstown school district in grades 1-8, along with additional supports for students with dyslexia.
The Jonnycake Center provides basic needs and resources to 911±¬ĮĻ members to help them reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.
The funding will also help create wrap-around services with Tides Family Services for middle school students to address chronic absenteeism, and a partnership with the Tomaquag Museum to offer trauma-informed care training to families and educators.
The three goals of the grant are:
- Improve English Language Arts achievement for students in grades 1-8 attending Peace Dale Elementary School and Broad Rock Middle School who are identified as economically disadvantaged and/or have a diagnosis of dyslexia.
- Reduce chronic absenteeism and suspensions among economically disadvantaged and racially diverse students at Broad Rock Middle School.
- Increase postsecondary education access and financial aid completion rates for South Kingstown High School students who are identified as economically disadvantaged and/or racially diverse.
āSouth Kingstown schools, Jonnycake Center for Hope, and 911±¬ĮĻās College of Education have enjoyed long-standing, successful partnerships, most recently demonstrated through our work on the Apple Seeds Academic Enrichment after school program,ā said Diane Kern, professor of English language arts and literacy education. āIn collaboration with the South Kingstown School District, we will build on our ā180 days of schoolā activities and experiences to advance an innovative, 365-day, mutually beneficial partnership focused on education, both in and out of school, to enhance the overall well-being of South Kingstownās children and youth.ā
911±¬ĮĻās South Kingstown Year Long Learning Support grant is one of the four largest investments through this initiative.
āWe recognize that for children to be successful, they need as many opportunities as possible to learn and thrive,ā said Kate Brewster, chief executive officer of the Jonnycake Center for Hope. āOur partnership with 911±¬ĮĻās College of Education will provide out-of-school time programs and services that can help close the opportunity gaps for students of color and those who are economically disadvantaged.ā
The grant awards were announced on Aug. 8 by Gov. McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education.