United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Awards $163,000 to Manchester Public Schools

Mar.13, 2019

Hartford, Conn. (March 13, 2019) — United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut awarded $163,000 to Manchester Public Schools to support youth success at Illing Middle School.

The award follows a planning grant issued last spring that will reinforce the school’s efforts to identify and address behavioral challenges and connect students with opportunities to gain academic skills to ensure they leave middle school ready for high school, and ultimately prepared for college or career.

“We’re grateful for United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s continued support,” said Iris Gomero, Principal, Illing Middle School. “United Way’s funding will bring us closer to achieving our goal of equipping all of our students with the knowledge, skills and habits they need in order to be successful in school and beyond.”

The initial planning process – funded by United Way – included a review and reimagination of the schools’ existing strategies for at-risk students led by a consultant and internal team that included input from teachers, administrators, parents and students. The objective was to design and build a robust system of supports and interventions that will support all students, but particularly those most at-risk of falling behind, in a more comprehensive way.

The plan will now be put into practice and will include a variety of interventions intended to improve behavior and academics as well as increase attendance. Noting the need for improvement in mathematics, the school will increase in-school and after-school math supports. In addition, project-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) enrichments will be offered during the school year and over the summer.

“United Way is committed to ensuring student success,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “We’ll continue to work alongside Manchester Public Schools to empower young people to succeed in high school and beyond.”