TRAVERSE CITY — Safer Kids, Safer Schools (SKSS) has received a $10,000 Seed Grant from Rotary Charities to explore after-school programs for middle school students in Traverse City Area Public Schools.
According to a Feb. 26 news release, the grant will support exploring, and the feasibility of developing, after-school programs for middle school students within the Traverse City Area Public Schools system.
The initiative, spearheaded by SKSS Co-Founders Jay Berger and Kathleen Guy, aims to enhance the safety and well-being of middle school students by providing enriching after-school activities that support their academic, social, and emotional development.
“We are incredibly grateful to Rotary Charities for their support,” SKSS Co-founder Jay Berger said. “This grant will allow us to take the first crucial steps in creating after-school programs that will benefit our middle school students and the community as a whole.”
The feasibility study is being conducted by Megan Motil of Parallel Soluafter-schooltions and will assess needs and demand, required resources and costs, governance and management, funding sources and a potential timeline for developing and implementing programs.
Key objectives of the Initiative are to enhance the safety and well-being of middle school students and provide enriching after-school activities that support academic, social and emotional development.
The Safer Kids, Safer Schools initiative is being conducted in coordination with TCAPS. It will actively engage various community groups involved in afterschool initiatives to provide input and expertise.
Feedback from students, parents and guardians, staff, and community champions will be integral to the process and identification of action steps. Recommendations from the task force will be shared with TCAPS, community partners and potential supporters.