Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 10-2-20

Political
Hillsborough County Public Schools Utilizing Federal Grant To Help Students RISE
1,500 students currently participate in Saturday Academy
Attending school on the weekend is not something most children and their fami- lies consider, but currently, 1,500 Hillsborough County Public School students head to class every Saturday morning. The students are part of a pro- gram called “Saturday Acad- emy,” and is available in 25 elementary schools within the school district.
Hillsborough County Pub- lic Schools had planned a sum- mer recovery program called Remediation & Intervention Summer Extension (RISE) that provides targeted aca- demic supports to students in the District's 25 schools known as the Transformation Net- work. Due to COVID-19, the program was postponed until after the school year began. The program is now up and running, featuring 12 all-day Saturday sessions for K-5 stu- dents with significant aca- demic needs, including those
ADDISON DAVIS ...Superintendent
that were disconnected or hard to reach during distance learn-
ing.
"The RISE program is an
incredible opportunity for our most vulnerable students to receive the academic supports they need to overcome the un- precedented challenges expe- rienced this year," said Shay McRae, Chief of Transforma- tion Schools. "Programs like RISE confirm the District's commitment to providing a quality and equitable educa- tional experience for all
SHAY MCRAE ...Chief of Transformation Schools
schools and every child in our community."
The program will also offer 23 small group instruc- tion after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and focus on bolstering students reading skills through intensive virtual sessions. Students will be taught by some of the District's most effective teachers and support staff, including school nurses, school psychologists, school social workers and Eng- lish Language Learner (ELL) classroom aides during the
program's duration.
“In addition to the robust
academic supports for our learners, school leaders were very intentional when they brought in school staff this year. I am thrilled that we have our school counselors, school psychologists and nurses avail- able during these Saturday sessions for our children. They will be providing counseling and health services for any child that is dealing with trauma or negative experi- ences in their lives. We have to break down barriers and focus on the whole child in order for them to succeed,” said Addi- son Davis, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Funding for the Saturday Academy was made available through the Governor's Emer- gency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.
RISE Sessions are held each Saturday between now and November 21stfrom 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. The District is providing transportation and meals for children in atten-
dance. Interested parents can register their child if they at- tend an eligible school (listed below) by visiting: http://bit.ly/HCPSRISE.
Participating Schools
Broward Elementary, Burney Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, DeSoto Elementary,
Dunbar Elementary Magnet, Folsom Elementary,
Foster Elementary, Giunta Middle,
James Elementary, Kenly Elementary, Kimbell Elementary, Lockhart Elementary, Mango Elementary, McDonald Elementary, Miles Elementary, Mort Elementary,
Oak Park Elementary,
Pizzo K-8,
Potter Elementary,
Robles Elementary,
Shaw Elementary,
Sulphur Springs K-8, Tampa Heights Elementary, Temple Terrace Elementary, Thonotosassa Elementary, and Witter Elementary.
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