REACH, a year-round state grant issued by the Department of Education, is designed to provide funding for high-quality and out-of-school programs. REACH stands for Re-Imagining Enrichment, Academics and Community Health.
This is the second school year that Salem High School has offered the after school programming. Recently, an evaluator visited the school to see how the groups are working and what students are doing and learning. The DOE has different requirements on grants and site visits. These site visits come from outside evaluators/DOE personnel and they are a requirement.
This grant has allowed a lot of clubs to start in the school. Lori Hazelip, who oversees the grant at SHS, said, “I get teachers every week coming up with new ideas.”
The grant has allowed many new, fun things to happen and it gives students another reason to want to come to school. Students are able to be part of groups and make friends easier with this grant because there are so many opportunities for out-of-school activities. The grant has helped clubs purchase countless materials they need for their clubs. Hazelip said, “We received a total of $662,500 split over a two-and-a-half year period.”
For the photography club, sponsored by Megan Elgin, the grant has helped so much. The photography club can help members learn how to use different camera equipment, learn how to take better pictures and edit/print pictures.
“The REACH grant has given us the opportunity to get the dark room back in working order,” Elgin said. Not only has it opened up the dark room, but they have been able to replace equipment that was not usable. The grant has paid for many supplies that are used often in photography. The grant also allowed for the purchase of photoshop programs that allow members of the club work on photo editing, as well as a photo printer.
For the baking club, which is sponsored by Jessica Morgan, it would have not been able to happen without the REACH grant. In the baking club, members cook, bake, eat and clean up after themselves. The funds have allowed for Morgan to purchase the supplies for baking a variety of foods. The club meets every other week.
Hazelip said the evaluator, who came for the site visit, was quite appreciative of the school’s program and school.
“She appreciated the passion, dedication, and hard-work of our teachers,” said Hazelip. “She was also impressed with the enthusiasm of the students participating that evening.”
In the report sent back to Hazelip, the evaluator said, “Staff have developed positive mentoring relationships with students, and they participate in activities alongside students when possible. Staff were passionate about the clubs that they led, which buoyed the overall excitement and engagement of students throughout the clubs.”