Friday Notes: From the Plymouth Public Schools

Friday notes is a weekly update from Superintendent Gary E. Maestas on the happenings within the Plymouth Public Schools.

Plymouth Public Schools to Receive $5 Million Federal Innovation Grants Once Private Match Is Secured

The Plymouth Public Schools have been selected from among nearly 1,700 applicants for funding under the Investing in Innovation (i3) program. The Plymouth Public Schools will receive a share of the $650 million in i3 grants upon securing a commitment for a 20 percent private sector match by Sept. 8. The Plymouth Public Schools are proud to announce that the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the Rural and Community Trust have officially committed to contribute the 20 percent match.
Grants of up to $5 million are awarded per "development" grant for promising ideas. The Plymouth Public Schools will receive nearly $5 million for its grant proposal and as a result of the 20 percent match from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and The Rural and Community Trust, an additional $1 million will be available for this opportunity.

The i3 fund, which is part of the historic $10 billion investment in school reform in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will support local efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that help close the achievement gap and improve outcomes for high-need students. Applicants were required to demonstrate their previous success in closing achievement gaps, improving student progress toward proficiency, increasing graduation rates, or recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and principals.

This is very exciting news for the Plymouth Schools. Superintendent Gary Maestas is relieved and thrilled to have received this grant. He states, "We want to re-frame Plymouth as an educational innovator providing unbelievable opportunities for our students. We believe that opportunities such as the i3 competition will allow the Plymouth Public Schools as well as other schools throughout New England to experience a new level of success in allowing students to demonstrate learned competency."

Cold Spring Elementary School News

Cold Spring School now includes a school-wide Title 1 Program. This will enable us to more effectively use our educational support services in order to address the needs of our students. The Title 1 Program supports and encourages the active involvement of parents in the education of their children. Families will be able to take part in events sponsored by Title 1 including a Children's Lending Library (housed at Hedge School), extended day programs, and family workshops. For more information about Title 1 programs parents can visit their website by linking to the Plymouth Public Schools' website or call the Title 1 office at 508-830-4348.

Gary E. Maestas, Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools

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