State Grant Received for Special Program
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The city’s school district has been awarded a $55,813 grant from the state Department of Mental Health for a program to help young children who have shown problems adjusting to school.
The funding comes from the state’s Early Mental Health Initiative, designed to help prepare at-risk children for academic success.
Officials in Westminster said they plan to use the money for the Primary Intervention Program, which targets first- through third-grade students at four of the district’s elementary schools: Ada E. Clegg, Frank N. Eastwood, L.P. Webber and Neomia B. Willmore.
“Studies have shown that children who feel alienated at school have a harder time achieving academically,” said Barbara Fileto, the district’s assistant superintendent.
The intervention program, she said, “provides at-risk children with a positive role model who will allow them to feel more comfortable.”
The program provides training for a counselor or instructional assistant who will spend about 30 minutes a week with individual students, acting as a mentor and role model.
“We are confident that as these students bond with their mentors, they will be able to acclimate to the school setting and concentrate on learning,” Fileto said.
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