(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded an announcement made
by the U.S. Department of Education that Sunnyside School District would
receive a grant to employ critical dropout prevention and reentry programs that
will help disadvantaged and underserved students complete high school. Earlier
this month, Senator Murray visited the Southeast Yakima Community Center to
talk about the importance of keeping students off the streets and out of gangs.
Senator
Murray is a long-time advocate of gang prevention programs in the Yakima Valley
and has worked to secure funding to support their efforts.
“This
grant will give educators in Yakima Valley’s rural school districts the resources
they need to keep students in the classrooms and one step closer to graduating
with a diploma that will put them on the pathway to a 21st century
career,” said
Senator Murray.
“We
are very excited to see this important program funded. The support and
resources provided by the grant will help those students who need extra support
and focus to graduate from high school,” said Superintendent of Sunnyside School District
Dr. Richard D. Cole. “We are pleased and see this as one more step in
our vision of success for every one of our students.”
The
grant, totaling $1,111,832, will be used by Sunnyside, Mabton and Mt. Adams
School Districts to create a consortium to carry out dropout prevention
programs. The grant is anticipated to continue for five years, with similar
amounts given each year.
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