Walsh Middle School Gets $450,000 Grant To Expand After-School Programs

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Framingham Public Schools announced this week that the Walsh Middle School has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant provides $150,000 a year for three years totaling $450,000.

The funding allows for the existing after-school programming to expand from three to four days per week at Walsh. It will also allow for 6 weeks of free summer programming for Walsh students.

Out of school time programs are crucial for the development of all youth, said the announcement from the Framingham Public Schools. Research has shown that students who attend out of school time programs show significant gains in academic and behavioral outcomes, as well as, increased attendance rates.

When describing his programming, Joseph Corazzini, director of community resource development for Framingham Public Schools, said in a statement: “We have a small team with big hearts who work hard to provide high quality out of school time programs for all students. We also run programs year round because we know how important they are for kids and their development. Tiffany Lillie, our assistant director, has done an amazing job working to build quality standards for OST programs across the district. Our Coordinator at Walsh, Will Jantzen has been phenomenal in getting the program ready to be competitive for a grant like this and I can’t say enough about Principal Pat Johnson and his administration team for all of

their support. Together, we intentionally align programming with that of the school day while also providing our staff with the flexibility and autonomy to develop curriculum that is hands on and nurtures student’s social emotional learning needs. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we are excited and prepared.”

Planning for the program will begin over the summer with a kickoff intended for mid-September. The Office of Community Resource Development will be posting part-time positions for the program next week on the district webpage www.framingham.k12.ma.us. Any individuals interested in part-time work or in volunteering with the program are encouraged to contact the Office of Community Resource Development at 508-626-9115. Walsh families will receive additional information closer to the beginning of the school year.

Photo via Framingham Public Schools