Schools, township garner grant

D149, Thornton receive $650,000 from state for violence interruption, community projects

Dolton Elementary District 149 and Thornton Township were two south suburban recipients of state funding for violence interruption and community development.

House Bill 969, an appropriations bill, included $45 million moved from the general revenue fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for grants for violence interruption, community development, operational expenses and administrative costs.

The school district received $150,000 that will largely go toward community development, said Superintendent Maureen White. Thornton Township received $500,000 in state funding, according to the bill.

White said the school board will use funds on community development, which in turn will reduce violence in the community.

Specifically, White said board President Wilbur Tillman has said he’d like the district to become a community and a school engagement model.

“Essentially, just being in the community and partnering with our stakeholders and welcoming them in our school community,” White said. “We’ve been talking to a lot of our parents and grandparents who want to be more involved in the school setting.”

In a news release, Tillman expressed his gratitude for the state grant.

“The safety of our students is a top priority for the district,” Tillman said. “A thriving community contributes to the safety and well-being of children, and this money will help our efforts to strengthen our schools in the community.”

The grant will help fund the health, wellness and career fairs, White said. The district also provides a program called Parent University where parents can learn how to write a resume, participate in mock interviews and take parenting classes, she said.

“I think ultimately, in this age and time, post-pandemic and civil unrest, I think that is an opportunity to use the funding that was given to provide social and emotional support for our community at large,” White said.

The district has a tentative schedule of programs but it has to be approved by the school board, White said. To run the programs, White said the district will ask teachers and staff to help as well

as hiring outside professionals, if needed.

By establishing community development programming, White said, it’s likely that the district will help decrease violence in the community.

“It is our hope to seek partnerships within our community to do some violence prevention programming because our students are part of our community” White said.

Through the grant, White said the district hopes to positively affect the social and emotional well being for students, as well as connect parents with the school community.

“What we know is when they feel safe and protected, then they can situate themselves as learners,” White said. “We’re hopeful that the programs will allow our parents to be more at ease and become more acquainted with our learning community.”

Thornton Township manager for community relations and external affairs Micaela Smith and spokesman Keith Freeman did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.