Sheldon schools receive $387,000 in reading grants

Programs focus on early learning and teacher development to keep students' reading skills on track.

Special to the Daily Mail

Sheldon R-8 schools are embarking on a year of opportunities. The district has received notification that they have received four major grants for the 2004-'05 school year.

Sheldon received one of 56 grants awarded in the state for the Reading First grant. This grant will focus resources on the school's kindergarten through third grade reading program. Teachers and an administrator have begun the training sessions required by the grant and are ready to implement a reading program that will isolate up to 180 minutes a day for reading instruction. Reading coaches will be in the classrooms with teachers during the Reading First block to analyze student progress and ensure that all children are reading at grade level by the end of the third grade. This three-year grant will provide new reading curriculum, professional development for teachers and staff and opportunities for students to reach their full potential.

School officials said the district was fortunate to receive two Comprehensive School Reform grants, so that elementary and high school teachers will be facilitated in closing the achievement gap with all students. The district has selected the Professional Learning Community model to enhance our student's academic endeavors. Sheldon will be working with the University of Missouri-Kansas City to implement numerous programs for students, parents, teachers and administrators. The premise of the model relies on promising strategies for substantive school improvement to develop the capacity of school personnel to function as a professional learning community. These grants are providing teachers aides to assist the teachers, professional development opportunities and the development of collaborative teams that will work to achieve common goals. The commitment to continuous improvement will be the focus of these renewable three-year grants.

The final grant secured by the district is the 2lst Century Community Learning Center. This will provide additional learning opportunities for Sheldon students and the families beyond the regular school day.

The needs of the community will drive the subjects addressed for these opportunities. The 21st Century Community Learning Center will partner with various agencies in the surrounding areas to support the needs of the community. This program will run throughout the year and will be implemented for five years. George Melloh will be coordinating the program.

All four grants will total $387,170 in the 2004-'05 school year and the district will coordinate these funds with other grant opportunities for a total of $618,053 for the 2004-'05 school year.

School officials said in a press release that he district is "looking forward to the exciting opportunities we will offer the community."