The Ohio Department of Education has awarded Bellefontaine Middle School with a $850,000 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, which will provide for opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom and the typical school day.
BMS was one of 42 schools in the state to receive this honor. Funding for the grant is allocated over a five-year cycle.
In conjunction with the grant, the school will offer a new program called BMS+, which will align academic services to the needs of students while meeting state academic standards. Programming will provide academic enrichment, positive youth development, family engagement activities, as well as technology opportunities.
Students will also focus on social-emotional learning, civic engagement, nutrition, physical health, dropout prevention and college/career readiness.
Bellefontaine Middle School will collaborate with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in a partnership designed to further support students, families and the community.
“Partnering with the Logan County Chamber will give our families another layer of services and allow students to become more involved with our local businesses,” BMS principal Lynda Holycross said,
This award is one of several the Ohio Department of Education has bestowed upon Bellefontaine Middle School in recent years.
BMS has previously received the ODE’s Momentum Award, and State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria made a point to personally visit the school to congratulate staff and students.