Last week, the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced $1 million in community investments to enhance summer programs for more than 1,300 K-12 students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to officials, funded programs, which are largely concentrated in the South Seattle, are designed to help students better prepare for academic success and social-emotional well-being this fall as students and schools return to full-time learning in the classroom. Programming will occur late June through August 2021.
“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all students – especially low-income students and students in our Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. This $1 million funding, part of the voter-approved Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy, is much needed as K-12 students prepare to return to in-person learning,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “DEEL and their partners have worked hard to ensure that students are coming back from a year of remote learning on an even playing field. Quality education and supportive programs are critical to supporting students both in and outside of the classroom. COVID-19 may have changed our city in many ways, but it has not changed the City’s commitment to ensuring all Seattle youth have access to education, and the support they need to be successful.”
Community-Based Summer Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Funds were awarded to 17 community-based organizations to enhance or expand a diverse array of student enrichment opportunities, including reading, writing, STEM, social justice, college mentorship, career exploration, physical fitness, and arts. Funded programs will provide K-12 students with greater access to academic supports and culturally-responsive enrichment experiences promoting physical wellness and social-emotional learning.
When the pandemic shifted learning online, research predicted steep learning loss and a widening of race-based opportunity and achievement gaps for students of color. Schools and community-based organizations were challenged to adapt and implement new ways to deliver high-quality instruction and support for students and families. In response, the Mayor and City Council approved legislation to provide DEEL flexibility in how FEPP Levy funds are invested to address student needs during COVID-19.
“We want our students to enter school this fall healthy, happy and ready to learn, which will require proactive investments in resources and support,” said Dwane Chappelle, DEEL Director. “Our students not only need academic support, but college mentorship and activities that support their health and well-being too. Investing in community organizations who provide expanded learning opportunities and wraparound services to students with the highest levels of need is an important strategy to eliminate opportunity gaps so all students can thrive.”
Prolonged distance-learning has had tremendous impacts on students’ academic health and well-being, disproportionately affecting students of color, first-generation, low-income, refugee and immigrant status students. This funding opportunity prioritized minority-led organizations working to serve communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the urgent needs of students.
“Summer has traditionally brought a chance for students to explore new interests, connect with caring adults, or find respite from traditional schooling and discover joy in learning. These still hold true even during this second summer of COVID-19. DEEL’s Community-Based Summer Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Funds will help students find programs that can meet these and other needs and help students prepare for their futures,” said FEPP Levy Oversight Committee Member and SESEC Executive Director, Erin Okuno.
One of the award recipients, South End Stories ($86,019), will utilize art to enhance the creative development of its participants.
“South End Stories is excited to serve the Lowell Elementary School community this summer. We can’t wait to see students playing, laughing, creating, dancing, making movies, and developing their identity through art exploration,” said Donte Felder, Executive Director of South End Stories. “Our program aims to ignite joy and curiosity through anti-racist curriculum and artistic sensibility. We will use 21st century pedagogy grounded in creative expression to provide hope and inspiration for the students in our upcoming summer camp.”
Community-Based Summer Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Funds are being offered alongside other FEPP Levy investments also benefiting K-12 students this summer. All thirty FEPP Levy School-Based Investment partner schools will offer both in-person and hybrid summer learning and enrichment programming for Seattle youth. Additionally, several of DEEL’s community-based Opportunity and Access partners will provide college and career exploration and mentoring.
The full list of Community-Based Summer Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Funds award recipients includes: Atlantic Street Center, $95,000; Boys & Girls Club of King County, $83,989; BRAVE, $60,943; Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, $41,174; Coyote Central, $70,000; East African Community Services, $99,940; El Centro de la Raza, $35,000; Friends of the Children, $93,805; The Good Foot Arts Collective, $39,292; Northwest Center, $17,614; Refugee Women’s Alliance, $25,000; Safe Homes, $100,000; Seattle Parks and Recreation, $60,250; South End Stories, $86,019; Students and Family Support Program, $26,779; University Tutors of Seattle, $5,720; and WA-BLOC, $59,475.
“We are thrilled to receive the DEEL Community-Based Summer Enhancement grant for our school-age program for children with disabilities and special health care needs,” said Snejana Gibskaya, Director of Early Learning programs at Northwest Center. “The funds will allow us to enhance our summer program activities and foster collaborations with more community partners that support our mission of inclusion. After being forced to cancel most of our enrichment events last summer, we are looking forward to expanding exciting opportunities for our school-age children.”
