Norristown Area School District
WEST NORRITON — Two Montgomery County school districts each received more than $1 million in federal funds to incorporate “safe and healthy learning environments for students” in the classroom, state officials said in a joint statement.
The Norristown Area School District was awarded $1.8 million and Pottstown School District received $1.05 million through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act’s Stronger Connections Grant, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.
The Norristown and Pottstown school districts were among 36 school districts throughout the state to receive portions of a $39 million federal sum being distributed by the state Department of Education.
“Students deserve to learn and grow in a school setting that is safe, supportive and inclusive,” state Rep. Matt Bradford, D-70th Dist., said in a statement. “This funding will give Norristown Area School District added resources to ensure that students can focus on learning and teachers and staff can focus on educating and fostering a positive learning environment.”
The school district is eligible to use the seven-figure sum in a variety of ways that state education officials say must “promote the social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being of students and staff,” address “family and community engagement” and promote “equitable and inclusive policies and practices” within the local educational agencies.
“Creating safe, healthy environments for kids is key to their success, both academically and personally,” state Rep. Greg Scott, D-54th Dist., said in a statement. “This funding will enable us to implement crucial measures that will ensure our children can thrive in an environment free from harm or danger Our commitment to their safety is unwavering, and this allocation is a significant step forward in fulfilling that promise.”
Along with the two Montgomery County school districts, several others from across the greater Philadelphia region were listed as recipients.
They included $1.83 million for Reading School District; $1.83 million for Bensalem School District in Bucks County; $1.83 million each for the Chester-Upland, Southeast Delco and William Penn school districts, all in Delaware County; as well as $1.83 million for Philadelphia City School District, $550,008 for the Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter School, $550,008 for the Pan American Academy Charter School, $366,672 for the Imhotep Institute Charter High School, all in Philadelphia County.
Mastery Charter Schools, also in Philadelphia, received more than $2.56 million across several of its campuses, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
