Schools

Lemon Grove Receives Part of $20 Million in Military School Grants

The schools will use their $362,000 share to increase parent involvement with students and allow greater use of technology in the classroom.

Lemon Grove and Santee schools are beneficiaries of a portion of $20 million in federal grants offered to public schools across the country to aid children from military families.

The San Diego region has the only three recipients in the state and takes up a sizable share of the overall spending, more than $3.2 million. 

The grants have been split among three districts, with San Diego Unified getting the bulk of the local awards, at nearly $2.5 million.

Lemon Grove received $362,000 for a math- and science-focused program for middle school students. It aims, according to Defense Department news release, to draw in parents while adding more technological tools to instruction.

Ernie Anastos, superintendent of the Lemon Grove School District, told EdSource.org “This will allow us to provide a one-to-one environment with small laptops.” 

Santee received $405,000 to a fund a project with goals to, according to the news release: 

  • Decrease discipline referrals
  • Increase parent participation in school programs
  • Adding training, counseling and participation opportunities and resources for families. 

Cathy Pierce, the superintendent of the Santee district, told EdSource.org that the money would allow officials to add counselors at two city campuses.

Fifteen districts nationally received the grants, administered by the Defense Department's Education Activity office. The program has issued more than $220 million in grants since 2009.

For examples of some of the challenges facing military students, see the video above, depicting a counseling program tailored for them.


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