Title: G3 Florida Learn & Serve Grant

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the submission of a renewal application to the Florida Department of Education for a Florida Learn & Serve grant for $50,000, effective September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2006, and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents related to the grant which are required for implementation of the grant activities.

Description:

4          This Service Learning initiative will be marketed to all schools with a particular emphasis on Accelerated Academic Assistance (AAA) schools.  Using a mini-grant application process, schools will submit applications for projects to the Department of Safe Schools, and 10 to 15 schools will be selected for project implementation.

4          Mini-grant awards will be determined by the Service Learning Youth Council, a group of students trained in service learning and the mini-grant review process.

4           Project areas to be supported in Service Learning include Reading, Intergenerational Projects, Character Education, Humane Education, Environmental Education, and Drug and Violence Prevention.

4          This grant will provide funding for multiple service learning projects, incuding materials, books, and transportation, and an existing employee to continue to function as the district's Service Learning Coordinator (.75 FTE).

4          The coordinator will continue to develop partnerships with schools, teachers, parents, businesses and other community interests via the District Service Learning Advisory Committee in an effort to support, foster and sustain  service learning in Palm Beach County.

4         Service Learning positively effects climate, behavior and academic performance.  Students will build their confidence and apply effective effort that will result in personal efficacy.  All Service Learning activities will be integrated into the curricula as an initiative to create responsible citizenry.

4           Evaluation will include: final reports from each funded mini-grant project to include student demographics;  numbers of student servers and recipients; hours of service performed; listing of courses that integrated Service Learning; number of staff attending training and identifying service learning as a key structure for enhancing efficacy in our students.

4          Included in this application are individual School-Based Service Learning Grant projects for West Riviera Elementary, Lake Park Elementary, Carver Middle, Congress Middle, and  Christa McAuliffe Middle and Wellington High and West Boca High School. 

Financial Impact:
The financial impact to the Special Revenue - Other Funds budget is an increase of up to $134,000 (up to $50,000 for the district-wide grant and a possible $12,000 for each of the seven applying schools). Matching funds in the amount of $25,000 are required and are available in the Department of Safe School's budget ($10,000) and in the Prevention Center's ($15,000) federally funded Safe and Drug-Free Schools Grant. All grant-related expenditures and contracts are authorized for payment up to the amount of revenue.

For Additional Information, contact:

Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

Alison Adler

Attachments (list):
Service Learning Data Panel.xls
Grant Application.pdf
Q&Ag3.doc