Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

PURPOSE: The purpose of the grant program is to:

1. increase the practice of Community Service-Learning (CSL) as a methodology for implementing the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, K-12;

2. strengthen school/community partnerships across the Commonwealth and support mutually beneficial relationships that maximize CSL opportunities both in school and during out-of-school time;

3. improve the quality of CSL initiatives;

4. provide more opportunities for low-income students to engage in CSL;

5. support the institutionalization of CSL district-wide;

6. provide an opportunity for youth to take on leadership roles in making changes and improving their communities;

7. increase the capacity of communities to support CSL and other youth programming during in-school and out-of-school time; and

8. increase civic engagement among participants.

RESULT OF FUNDING: This funding will enable the Leominster Public Schools to implement Community Service-Learning as a teaching methodology and to improve school-community partnerships by funding professional development, project implementation, and other related activities.

NOTE: The original grant package for Fund Code: 355 was approved at the August 2007 Board of Education meeting. Additional funds became available after the August Board meeting to allow for the funding of one additional community through this competition. This district's proposal was the next ranked in the grant review process.

The grant award is $15,000.