The Caledonia Education Foundation recently awarded the district a $75,000 grant to pay for a new math curriculum and to free up dollars to add a new position to serve students’ mental, social and emotional health needs.
“We are very grateful to the Caledonia Education Foundation for awarding us this grant, and the community for stepping up to support our kids especially during these tough economic times,” Superintendent Dedrick Martin said.
The foundation stepped up efforts to help cover costs associated with the K-8 math curriculum, introduced this year, allowing math to become more accessible to all students.
“Ready Math allows all types of students to learn the curriculum at their own pace,” said Curriculum Coordinator Joshua Traughber. “This program emphasizes the use of common language for students, with increased collaborative opportunities for teachers to meet Michigan’s learning standards.”
The grant funds will also offset curriculum expenses and free up dollars to hire a student support coordinator focused on developing and maintaining mental health and counseling programs. The district will post the position before the end of September and expects to begin the interviewing process in early October.
“This person will ensure our students have access to mental health and health care services and serve as a guide towards social and emotional wellness,” said Director of Special Education Wendy Dubuisson. “They will also play a crucial role in supporting the social and emotional learning needs of students and staff in these difficult times of COVID-19 and beyond.”
This year, the district faced increased operating costs due to the pandemic, and Director of Finance Sara Devries anticipates a shortfall for this school year. The foundation is currently running CAL CARES, a fundraising campaign, to raise $300,000 to help fill the gap.
