A ll grant funded programs MUST be supplemental. Grant funds cannot be used to supplant the operating budget in any way. Staff may be funded with grant funds if their responsibilities, in part or fully relate directly to the specific grant. These positions may be Staff Developers, Early Literacy Coaches, Individual Learning Needs Coaches and Math/Reading Specialists. The Grants and Funded Programs Office in collaboration with the Finance Office monitors their time through the monthly and biannual Personnel Activity Reports (PAR’s) for auditing purposes. Click here for more information.

The Grants and Funded Programs Office collaborates with various departments in managing the fiscal, accountability, and operational aspects of the various programs. Grant funded programs include the following programs:

• Middle School Readiness Academy (M.S.R.A.) - Assistant Superintendent for Elementary, Eileen Swerdlick leads this program for targeted 5^th graders from all elementary schools. This is primarily a program that is based on parent/family engagement. It is offered on Saturdays for students and their families, who must commit to attending specific days that are dedicated to programs for parents/families. Students may not attend if parents cannot make this commitment. The program integrates academic support, with enrichment, and college awareness.

• Aspiring Leadership Through Action (A.L.T.A.) - Assistant Superintendent for Secondary, Dr. Winifred Hamilton leads this program for targeted 9^th and 10^th grade Latino students at Stamford and Westhill High Schools. This program is offered both at the school locations and Yerwood Center. On Tuesday and Thursdays, students receive academic support at their own school locations. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, they attend the program at the Yerwood Center and participate in academic enrichment activities, recreational activities and are immersed in college awareness and leadership development. This program is based on collaboration between the Stamford Public Schools, The Yerwood Center, The Hispanic Leadership Academy, and other community partners.

• High School Prep Academy for a targeted group of 8^th graders is planned and will be implemented in the Spring 2007 under the leadership of Dr. Winifred Hamilton.

Several other programs are funded through grants such as AVID, summer school (partially), and after school programs.