District Wins Grants for Students Support, Opportunities

RSD17 continues to seek and win competitive grants to provide students with support and experiences beyond available district resources.

Haddam Killingworth High School (HKHS) was granted a $16,952 federal Perkins grant and a $10,000 Project Lead the Way/Lockheed Martin grant to enhance career and technical courses.

The district conducted a local needs assessment to determine the regional workforce needs, and assembled a board to help determine ways to improve curriculum and equipment.

“This year we focused our funds on our Manufacturing and Transportation courses based upon state workforce needs,” said Ryan Kish, Project Lead the Way and Technology Educator.

The money was used to purchase a custom Snap-On tool box, tool set, and multimeter training and certification kit for the HKHS transportation course. Students will also be able to earn a nationally recognized certification that can be used as a marketable skill as they enter the workforce.

Training and equipment will also be purchased to implement a new Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CNC) course.
“Local manufacturers and board members noted that HKHS lacked a course exposing students to CNC equipment that is standard in the manufacturing industry," said Ryan.

Additional money will fund field trips to manufacturing and engineering facilities to help students gain awareness of the high tech jobs that are in demand.

The Connecticut State Department of Education awarded RSD17 a competitive American Rescue Plan Act School Mental Health Workers Grant in the amount of $297,000.

Funds will be used to contract with Connecticut Behavioral Health to create a school based mental health center serving grades 4-12.

“It’s reassuring to know students who may be at risk or who may be struggling will have professionals who they can confide in and receive help from," said Senator Norm Needleman. "This will make an important difference for students and their families."