By Jolene Farley
The Hills-Beaver Creek School District has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation.
The grant will fund the Book of the Week program offered to students this summer, the Kid Care after school program and reading, writing and math nights planned during the school year.
The Book of the Week Club began three weeks ago with financial support from the Rock County Collaborative, Lutheran Brotherhood and Hills-Beaver Creek Community Education. Students were also charged a $20 fee to participate.
Teachers wanted the 57 students enrolled in the club to be able to take a book, CD ROM or other activity home with them each week, according to teacher Amy Christensen, so they applied for further funding from the Foundation.
Coordinators estimate the program will continue to grow next year. "We've got good numbers and kids coming from all over," Christensen said.
"I'm guessing the kids might want to meet more often. I'm guessing we will have more kids interested."
The program currently meets from 8:30 to 10 a.m Thursdays. Retired Senior Volunteers, who help with the program, provide intergenerational learning for the students.
The Kid Care program will be offered after school hours during the year to help bridge after school daycare gaps.
Reading, writing and math nights focus on each individual area with students and their families. An entire evening is devoted to each subject.
Little Patriots move to Beaver Creek
The board unanimously approved moving the Little Patriot Preschool program to the Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek.
The Hills building received three fire code violations from the Fire Marshall during his last visit, according to superintendent Dave Deragisch.
"We have some problems with that building," he said. "We're not handicap accessible."
All fire and handicap accessibility code issues would have to be corrected for the district to continue to rent the building, according to Deragisch.
Moving to the elementary allows a way around these problems plus the opportunity to offer students a milk break, access to playground equipment and room for special programs for parents.
The district currently rents the Hills building from the City of Hills for $130 per month.
The board asked if the move would affect any of the Iowa students who attend Little Patriots.
"We will have the conflict of too-and-from, but I think it's something we can work out," Deragisch said.
In other business, the board approved pairing with Ellsworth and Edgerton for cross country this fall.