More than $58,000 in Safe Schools Targeted Grants has been awarded to Chartiers Valley School District.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office for Safe Schools offers four types of grants to schools to prevent and reduce violent incidents, purchase safety and security-related equipment, and to provide for training and compensation of school resource and police officers.

“Chartiers Valley School District is committed to the safety of our students and staff. The district is fortunate that the Safe Schools Targeted Grants will offset some costs associated with providing safe, healthy learning environments for our children and educators,” said district director of communications and strategic partnerships Mikaela Duckstein. “Our school resource officers not only protect our buildings; they are also trained and qualified to collaborate with staff, educate students and connect with families in positive, meaningful ways. They are truly an asset to the entire community, beyond the walls of our schools.

State Rep. Anita Kulik, D-AlleghenyKulik, said Chartiers Valley School District was awarded $40,000 for a school police officer, as well as an $18,499 equipment grant.

“Violence has no place in our schools, which should be safe environments for our children to learn,” Kulik said. “The funding awarded will help support efforts to reduce violence in schools so that our students can thrive and be productive.”

Additionally, a total of $76,292 in grants will allow the primary and intermediate schools in the district to purchase new ovens for their cafeterias.

“Every student should have access to healthy meals in school,” Kulik said. “The new ovens are an essential upgrade in these school cafeterias, which will help the cafeteria staff provide hot and nutritious meals to students so that they can continue to learn and grow in the classroom.”

The state Department of Education administered $946,000 in competitive grants to 44 elementary, middle and high schools across Pennsylvania. Funding for the grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grants are awarded to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Schools use grants to purchase or upgrade equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves and dishwashers.

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