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WATSON CHAPEL DISTRICT AWARDED TWO FEDERAL GRANTS

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:59 PM CDT

The Watson Chapel School district has received two $450,000 grants for two after-school programs through the U.S. Department of Education.

The funding for both grants will be dispersed during a five-year period, Brenda Melton, the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction, said at the Watson Chapel School Board meeting Monday.

The program will be held at L.L. Owen and Coleman elementary schools, she said. The Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County will provide snacks and physical activities as a part of the program.

“Hats off to you, Ms. Melton,” said board member Sandra Boone.

The district held an after-school program at the end of the 2008-09 school year, Melton said, and was a great success according to teachers, students and parents.

The program will target students in the 2nd-6th grades and will run Monday through Thursday. Transportation will be provided, Melton said.

Tutorial sessions, homework help, science, English, mathematics, art and music are a few of the planned offerings, Melton said.

She said the program will start after Labor Day and could serve about 250 students.

In other business, the school board approved a plan to provide flu vaccinations for students.

“I think it would be a good service for our students,” said board member Maxine Nelson, a registered nurse.

The shots will not be mandatory, said superintendent Danny Hazelwood, but provided free to students.

District board members also approved of a plan to utilize stimulus funds.

At June’s meeting board, members voted to give personnel a $1,000 bonus, using about $500,000 which could be reimbursed through stimulus funds if approved by the federal government.

Ivy Lincoln, Watson Chapel’s assistant superintendent for finance, said he would send the proposal by the end of the month, which includes another planned salary incentive for the 2009-10 school year and the purchase and installation of surveillance equipment.

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