Superintendent visits Beardsley Elementary, talks grant, partnerships

ELKHART, Ind. --  Several schools in Elkhart County are being awarded the 21st Century Grant that will sponsor partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club to extend the learning day for students.

"It is a big deal. Especially for kids that are living in free reduced types of situations," said Glenda Ritz, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Over 92 percent of the students at Beardsley Elementary School in Elkhart are on the free or reduced lunch program.

Thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart and the 21st Century Grant, Beardsley is one of several schools in Elkhart County that will be seeing some major improvements.

Ritz says literacy will be the main focus.

"Everyday we get more students into our schools that do not speak English as their first language, we have a lot of langue structure and support that need to be in place and we need to start with reading."

With the grant money and partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart, the school will pay teachers to stay later and even offer the students after school music lessons.

Everyone from the principal to the parents are thrilled about broadening young minds.

"Having art, science and music included in their regular school day will only build knowledge for them and I know will affect their achievement scores." said the Principal of Beardsley Elementary, Val Priller.