The Foundation for Educational Excellence recently awarded $61,000 for projects at five schools on Hilton Head Island to help offset learning deficiencies resulting from COVID-19 school closures. In total, 2,196 students of low to moderate income will be impacted through these projects.
These COVID-related educational grants were awarded through HUD Community Development Block Grants the Town of Hilton Head Island received this year and distributed through a partnership with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. The money will go towards aiding students with COVID-related educational needs. “Community Foundation of the Lowcountry found that the goals of these educational awards would serve a significant purpose to help students in need,” stated Interim CEO Jackie Rosswurm, Ph.D.
A portion of the funds received will be used to purchase headphones/earbuds, bilingual books for English Language Learners, as well as math and literacy manipulatives for students at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts and Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center. The remaining funds will support targeted tutoring programs for students who are experiencing COVID-related academic deficiencies at Hilton Head Island Elementary School, Hilton Head Island Middle School and Hilton Head Island High School.
“I am acutely aware of the prevalent gaps that are currently facing our Education system,” stated Beaufort County School District Chief Instructional Services Officer Mary Stratos, Ph.D. “These awards will help meet the needs for student improvement.”
Lisa Carroll, Foundation Board Chair stated that, “Foundation board members have pursued new initiatives this year to help with the challenges our public schools and teachers are facing during the pandemic. We are amazed at the innovation going on every day to help students.”
Special thanks go to all the Foundation Board members who helped make these grants possible.
