BROCKTON- The Brockton Public Schools have been awarded more than $5 million in grant funds that will support the expansion of early childhood education, allow for significant school building upgrades and facilitate planning for safe and supportive schools.
$966,812 to expand preschool access through increased community-based collaboration
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) awarded Brockton Public Schools $966,812 that will allow for expanded access to high-quality, affordable preschool for three- and four-year-old children. The grant focuses on supporting children from low-income backgrounds, English learners and those with special needs.
With the grant funding, Brockton Public Schools will have the opportunity to increase capacity for free and reduced-cost preschool seats in community-based organizations for eligible children. The funding will also support the purchase and implementation of high-quality, developmentally appropriate curricula aligned with state guidelines for preschool learning experiences.
“This represents a significant investment in strengthening early childhood education infrastructure and building on existing partnerships,” said Dr. Karen Spaulding, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for grades PreK-8. “By aligning curricula used in community-based PreK classrooms to those in the district, we are ensuring that all early learners in the City of Brockton come to kindergarten with the skills and knowledge they need to find success.”
The funding will support Brockton Public Schools’ community-based partnerships with Old Colony YMCA, Brockton Day Nursery and Brockton Headstart.
Additionally, the funding may be used for professional development for early educators in the district’s community-based PreK centers emphasizing inclusive practices, culturally responsive instruction and social-emotional learning. The grant also supports robust family engagement efforts that will include workshops, home-school connection activities and resources to support early literacy, numeracy and school readiness, as well as supporting a smooth transition to kindergarten through collaboration between preschool providers and BPS kindergarten programs.
$4,030,494 for HVAC upgrades at Plouffe Middle School
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded BPS over $4 million as part of the Green School Works program to support the installation of air source heat pumps and a building management system at Plouffe Middle School.
Once completed, the project will not only improve air quality and environmental comfort for students and staff, but it will also help advance BPS’ commitment to clean energy, climate resiliency and long-term sustainability.
The Plouffe project is one of 18 across the state awarded funding by MassCEC to modernize energy systems and invest in the well-being of communities in the Commonwealth. The Green School Works program aims to make schools more energy efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution and create safer and healthier learning environments.
“We are grateful to MassCEC and the Department Elementary and Secondary education for this transformative investment in our schools, which will have a huge impact on our efforts to make Brockton’s schools more sustainable and will noticeably improve the experience Plouffe students and staff have in their school every day,” Superintendent Dr. Tahiliani said.
$10,000 for safe and supportive school planning
Brockton is one of 18 districts to receive grant funding that will advance efforts to create equitable, safe, positive and inclusive school learning environments through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Safe and Supportive Schools program.
This funding is intended to help Brockton High School as it begins the planning phase of the program. During this phase, the district will convene a team of stakeholders comprised of school staff, including teachers, nurses, and counselors, as well as parents and students to provide input on their experiences and reflect on existing school practices.
This process enables schools to identify their most pressing local priorities and create action plans that can be incorporated into School Improvement Plans to address these priorities.