MVIDCE Partners With School System

Working with Moving Voices and several other community partners, Halifax County school system officials have been awarded two grants totaling over $1 million for two 21^stCentury Community Learning Centers.

Partnering with Moving Voices will provide middle school students in the after-school program an opportunity for cultural enrichment to integrate movement and dance.

Through the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program, Halifax County Public Schools  is committed to provide extra-curricular enrichment opportunities to be offered after school and during the summer for students and their parents,” Stapleton said. “The purpose of the program is to establish a community learning center at each school that provides students with academic support in the areas of math and reading along with activities designed to complement the students’ regular academic program.

The community learning centers provide components for student leadership, family literacy and related educational opportunities,” Stapleton added, noting that a focus will be put on identifying students who could benefit from extra help in the fields of math and reading.

The funds are to establish a center at both the high school and middle school with each school being awarded $180,000 a year for three years, according to Superintendent Paul Stapleton, who said the centers will offer a student leadership program, a family literacy component, plus extra help for students, particularly in the subjects of math and science.

The federal funds will pay for after-school transportation, technology and instructional development, officials said.

The student leadership program also offers many opportunities for middle and high school students to become “student ambassadors,” Stapleton said, reaching out to their fellow students and the community at large.

According to Assistant Superintendent Joe Griles, the grant process was very competitive, and Halifax was fortunate to be awarded two grants.

Halifax submitted three applications with Sinai Elementary not being awarded a grant, officials said, noting new applications can be submitted next year.

The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program is a highly competitive grant opportunity for school divisions across the commonwealth,” Griles said. “Halifax County High School and Halifax County Middle School were two of 34 projects awarded in the state of Virginia out of over 100 applications submitted.

"Establishing the learning centers will provide additional educational support for our students and their families,” Griles added.

According to officials, the school system worked with several, businesses, organizations and higher education institutions to provide participants with hands-on educational opportunities.

The school system worked with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Moving Voices, New Shiloh Baptist Church and the South Boston/Halifax Junior Women’s Club.

The learning centers will become a focal point for our entire community, students, parents, educators and business leaders,” Stapleton said. “Thanks goes out to the center office staff that worked so hard to secure these grants for our students.”

The principals of the two schools who were awarded funds said they were pleased.

Middle School Principal Beverly Crowder said her staff had been working on a plan to improve test scores at the school, and these programs fit into those goals.

High School Principal Albert Randolph said he was proud the high school would have the opportunity to provide after-school programs for students especially since budget cuts had trimmed after school offerings.

by Jeff Humber, The Gazette-Virginian