The Waynesville R-VI School District could receive $2 million in federal grant money through the Department of Defense Education Activity grant, an official with the district said Tuesday.
Kim Hawk, community resource coordinator, said she applied for it because its purpose is “in alignment with the district.”
“Our mission fit really well with the purpose of the grant,” Hawk said.
The grant will be used in three different areas throughout the district. One of those will include increasing teacher development through the Professional Learning Community—weekly meetings that allow teachers to assess how they’re doing—and will further implement the components of PLC, according to Hawk.
Hawk said the PLC has been successful, but the grant will push further what’s already being done. She also said the PLC is a “model for teaching improvement.”
“We’ve done a good job,” she said. “This will take it from good to great.”
She added: “Hopefully, this will provide resources to enhance their work.”
Other areas that the grant will be used in will involve getting children involved in after-school programs, as well as providing materials for different data instruction.
Additionally, Hawk noted that research shows that kids who are involved in activities do better academically.
“Hopefully, this will get kids involved,” she said.
The purpose of the grant, according to handout provided by the district, is to “enhance student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools that are experiencing significant military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes.”
Grants will be awarded on Aug. 1 of this year, according to Hawk.
Waynesville, Mo. —
