Dear Editor:
Recently, Union City was informed that our school district has been awarded the “21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.” The grant totals $500,000. This grant is a federally funded grant given by the United Stated Department of Education.
This grant offers students opportunities for summer and after school programs for children in communities such as ours. Union City received this grant, according to the award letter, because of the “cost-effective manner in which the district disseminates grants.” This speaks volumes about what we are accomplishing here in Union City. Our school district has become a model statewide, and not just amongst Abbott districts, on how to most effectively spend school funds.
This grant will help students in grades 4 through 8 at the George Washington School, Jefferson School, Gilmore School and the new Jose Marti Middle School.
Union City’s Grace Theatre Workshop, led by Artistic Director Lucio Fernandez is involved as a collaborative organization in the grant and will be working with the Board of Education to decide what programs will be best to offer to students. As you can see, the grant will allow us to run the gamut from traditional education subjects to the performing arts. The future is wide open for Union City’s children.
I praise the United States Department of Education and all that are involved with making the Union City School District the best in the county.
Brian P. Stack
Mayor/Assemblyman, 33rd District