Santa Paula : One-on-One Grant to Help Children
Shy or unruly Santa Paula schoolchildren soon will receive extra attention from their teachers, thanks to a $180,000 state grant designed to help kids who don’t fit in.
The program, funded by a three-year grant from the state Department of Mental Health, allows elementary schools to set up a playroom where children will be tended to individually for half an hour each day.
“Some kids just don’t have the skills to make it in the classroom,” said Special Projects Director Ed Kessler. “This program is a way to ease them into that environment, to make them more comfortable.”
Teachers and teacher’s aides will act as “Special Friends,” providing the pupils with one-on-one attention, Kessler said.
“They can read, talk, draw, or whatever,” Kessler said. “It is an intentionally unstructured, non-threatening program.
“Special Friends” programs will be established at Bedell, Glen City, Blanchard and McKevett elementary schools, Kessler said. Similar programs are already in place at Thille and Webster elementary schools, Kessler said.
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