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River Valley School District Receives $3 Million in New Grant Money to Expand Student Learning and Career Exploration

First page of the PDF file: 10-28-2024RVSD21stCenturyRelease

The River Valley School District is honored to announce it has been awarded $3 million in new grant money from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant, distributed as $600,000 annually over five years. This funding will enhance our community learning centers, providing enriching academic, career, artistic, and cultural opportunities for students and their families outside regular school hours.

This essential grant targets support for students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools, helping them meet and exceed state and local academic standards. These programs are crucial as they extend learning beyond the classroom and foster family involvement in education, which is vital for student success.

Superintendent Philip Martell, whose leadership has been instrumental in integrating career exploration with academic learning, remarked, "We are grateful for the opportunity to advance our educational programs through the 21st CCLC grant. This will undoubtedly aid in our ongoing efforts to make education more accessible and relevant to all students, particularly through initiatives like the RIASEC framework, which helps students understand their strengths, interests, and values while aligning their learning with their future aspirations."

Kathy Monko, Director of School to Community Programming and Services, added, "This grant is a game changer for our community. It allows us to provide a nurturing environment beyond the traditional classroom setting. We can now offer programs that truly resonate with the needs and aspirations of our families, helping to build a stronger, more connected community."

Ed Hidalgo and the Educators Cooperative team will be crucial in continuing to integrate the RIASEC framework in our school district. "Our collaboration with the River Valley School District is focused on embedding the RIASEC language into everyday learning, helping students from an early age to identify and develop their talents and interests," said Ed Hidalgo. "This grant enhances our ability to tailor educational experiences that are not only academically enriching but also deeply personal and relevant to each student's future career path."

This grant will support various activities complementing our academic curriculum, including literacy and educational services for families. This initiative reflects our district’s commitment to educational innovation and our dedication to preparing students for future-driven learning in a rapidly evolving world.

For more information about River Valley’s new 21st CCLC-funded initiatives, contact Mr. Philip Martell, Superintendent, at 724-343-8401 or martell.p@rvsdpa.org.

About River Valley School District: At River Valley School District, we believe in every student's potential. We are committed to harnessing potential through academic excellence and innovative career-related learning. Our approach ensures that students not only achieve academically but also gain an understanding of their strengths and vision of their future possible selves.