PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Public Schools announced Wednesday that the school district was awarded a $3,475,172 School Climate Transformation Grant.
The grant is for three high schools: Richwoods, Peoria High and Manual.
The federal grant, entitled “Lights On, Peoria,” will allow Peoria Public Schools to fill in gaps of support for high school students residing in the city’s Opportunity Zones, and equipping schools to help underserved and marginalized students.
The purpose of the School Climate Transformation grant is to ensure a safe and supportive school climate, which plays a critical role in the success of a student, this according to Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools.
Desmoulin-Kherat told WMBD News, “This new grant will help Peoria Public Schools continue to cement a stronger foundation, and provide ladders of opportunities for our future leaders”.
She says students at each of the three high schools will receive different interventions based on the needs of their respective schools.
Peoria Public Schools announced that other interventions will include academic tutoring, social emotional counseling, career mentoring, expanded opportunities for competency-based learning, connections to community services and agencies, justice advocates, opioids education and professional learning.
Carl Cannon of the Peoria Park District told WMBD News that the grant will also help provide positive weekend experiences for students.
