Lynnfield Public Schools Awarded $8,100 Mass. Literacy Institute Grant

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) and Acting Lynnfield Superintendent of Schools Thomas Geary are pleased to announce that the Lynnfield Public Schools has been awarded an $8,100 Massachusetts Literacy Institute Grant from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Lynnfield was one of 15 recipients selected in the latest round of grants, which are geared towards public and charter schools and districts with 5 or fewer elementary schools. This state-funded one-year competitive grant program assists educators and administrators with the development of a literacy plan aligned to the multi-tiered system of support model (MTSS) for grades K through 5, which DESE describes as a process where “adults work together through coordinated systems to provide all students the support they need to succeed.”

“Districts will use the award funds to attend professional development and meet independently between institute sessions to work on the development of their literacy action plans, including core instruction, intervention, assessment, data-based decision making, and planning for professional learning,” DESE noted.

Literacy program participants are required to establish a grant team that will share resources and learnings with the entire school district. The team must consist of a school administrator, a district level literacy leader, administrator and/or coordinator, and three teachers, which can include classroom educators, reading specialists, special education teachers. English learner teachers, or literacy coaches. According to DESE, the team will work on the “development of measurable, attainable, literacy goals and action steps for literary leadership responsibilities.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Senator Crighton and Representative Jones for their work in helping the Lynnfield Public Schools to secure this grant,” said Acting Superintendent Geary. “These funds will help to strengthen our district's MTSS model and literacy skills for all students. Our grant team is excited to work together to develop a literacy plan that is driven by student data and is aligned with our district goals. We're thankful for the opportunity to partner with DESE on this grant, and are excited for the opportunities that this grant provides.”

“Congratulations to Superintendent Kristen Vogel, Acting Superintendent Geary and their team for securing this literacy grant,” said Representative Jones. “The collaborative approach that will be used to develop and implement a district-wide literacy program will set measurable goals for Lynnfield’s elementary school students and will help them develop a solid foundation to position them for continued success as they move on to middle school, high school and their post-secondary education.”

“Literacy is the foundation of learning and the key to unlocking opportunities for our students,” said Senator Crighton. “Investments like these reflect our shared commitment to fostering a brighter community through education.”