NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – $4.5 million in federal funds are being given to programs in Hampton Roads, specifically ones that will help children recover from learning losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, Congressman Bobby Scott (Va.-03) is visiting both the Tom & Ann Hunnicutt Family YMCA and An Achievable Dream Middle and High School in Newport News to present checks.
According to the office of Congressman Scott, he helped secure $1,594,355 in additional resources to help students at An Achievable Dream make up for lost learning during the pandemic.
News 3 met with the President of An Achievable Dream to see how the school plans to use the funds. Dr. Lee Vreeland, President and CEO of An Achievable Dream, explained the academy is in partnership with Newport News Public Schools and serves kindergarten through 12th grade – helping to bring equity to education.
Vreeland said the pandemic was hard on a lot of students and this money will be used in a variety of ways including programs to help children with social and emotional needs as well as mental health. She also said they take a holistic approach to learning and even have a program to help families who are struggling financially, to make sure their basic needs are met.
During the check presentation ceremony, the school also mentioned funds might be used for things like helping students pay for trips to visit colleges or repairs at the school.
“These are challenging times in education, and we are having to be very creative and really identify those gaps and unique ways we may need to meet the needs of our students right now,” Vreeland stated. “We’re just now touching the surface of everything that we know is going to be the impact of the pandemic.”
Meantime, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jillian Balow, announced on Monday that the Virginia Department of Education has launched a program to help students recover from the negative impact the pandemic had on students' learning progress, attendance, and mental health issues. It’s called “Engage Virginia.”
VDOE says participating students and families will be assigned to an academic success coach to help them navigate the program and access online and in-person services, including:
- Academic resources
- Referrals for community services
- 24/7 academic tutoring
- Homework assistance
- Motivational coaching
- Study and time-management skills coaching
- Test preparation
- Feedback on resumes and cover letters
Balow said, “It is our goal to fill every available slot with students who can benefit from this online support.”
School divisions can opt-in to participate in Engage Virginia and refer students and families to the program. Parents in non-participating divisions may enroll their children by registering directly on the Engage Virginia website.
