Courtney Congratulates New London Public Schools on Highly Competitive Federal Grant

NEW LONDON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney congratulated New London Public Schools on their award of a competitive grant of more than $497,000 for Fiscal Year 2015 from the U.S. Department of Education, as part of a multi-year grant. New London is one of only 12 communities nationwide to be selected for Full-Service Community Schools grants this year.

“This competitive award will be a major benefit to New London schools, students, and families. The close coordination of the many services and supports that help children succeed in school will help maximize each of these investments, and give every child the opportunity to receive a top-notch education. Innovation is key to help equip students with the skills and knowledge they will need to compete in the global economy, and I commend New London Public Schools for being at the forefront of these changes,” Congressman Courtney said. “For the last two summers, I have visited the New London Camp Rotary summer program at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, which is a proven example of community education promoting STEM in a healthy, positive environment. This program run by the school system, with partners from New London Rotary and New England Science and Sailing, connects summer activity in New London’s maritime locale with STEM curricula. That is exactly the way to stimulate STEM interest with low-income youngsters who otherwise could go backwards educationally during the summer months."

“New London Public Schools has received statewide attention and has garnered national recognition for its many initiatives that, over the coming years, will fundamentally transform our district into a regional school system offering the highest quality learning experience for all students. We are grateful to the United States’ Department of Education for partnering with us and recognizing NLPS as a pioneer in education. Partnerships such as these support the district’s efforts to equip students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in life.” said Dr. Rivera, Superintendent of NLPS.

The grant, made available through the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) program under the Fund for the Improvement of Education, will fund “Project Connect”—a five-year service provision and coordination FSCS initiative designed in partnership with multiple community organizations: Connecticut College; United States Coast Guard Academy; New England Science and Sailing; Connecticut Science Center; Child and Family Agency of New London; Child Nutrition Program of New London; Appalachian Mountain Club Youth Opportunities Program; and New London Youth Affairs. These entities help provide wraparound services for students in school, coordinating services and program offerings to support student success.

The Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE), which is authorized by section 5411 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), supports nationally significant programs to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education at the State and local levels and to help all children meet challenging academic content and academic achievement standards. The Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) program, which is funded under FIE, encourages coordination of academic, social, and health services through partnerships between (1) public elementary and secondary schools; (2) the schools' local educational agencies (LEAs); and (3) community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other public or private entities. The purpose of this collaboration is to provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, students' family members, and community members that will result in improved educational outcomes for children.