Governor’s Learn365RI grant awarded to URI College of Education to partner with South Kingstown schools, Jonnycake Center for Hope

September 28, 2023
Jonnycake Center for Hope, photo by Seth Jacobson

URI’s Feinstein College of Education has been awarded a $325,000 grant as part of Gov. Dan McKee’s Advancing Learning Beyond the 180-Day School Year program, which supports the state’s extended learning programs.

The South Kingstown Year Long Learning Support grant will establish a partnership between the Jonnycake Center for Hope and URI to provide academic tutoring for students in the South Kingstown school district in grades 1-8, along with additional supports for students with dyslexia.

The Jonnycake Center provides basic needs and resources to community members to help them reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.

The funding will also help create wrap-around services with Tides Family Services for middle school students to address chronic absenteeism, and a partnership with the Tomaquag Museum to offer trauma-informed care training to families and educators.  

The three goals of the grant are:  

  • Improve English Language Arts achievement for students in grades 1-8 attending Peace Dale Elementary School and Broad Rock Middle School who are identified as economically disadvantaged and/or have a diagnosis of dyslexia.
  • Reduce chronic absenteeism and suspensions among economically disadvantaged and racially diverse students at Broad Rock Middle School.
  • Increase postsecondary education access and financial aid completion rates for South Kingstown High School students who are identified as economically disadvantaged and/or racially diverse.

“In collaboration with the South Kingstown School District, we will build on our ‘180 days of school’ activities and experiences to advance an innovative, 365-day, mutually beneficial partnership focused on education, both in and out of school, to enhance the overall well-being of South Kingstown’s children and youth,” said Diane Kern, professor of English language arts and literacy education.

The Year Long Learning Support grant is one of the four largest investments through this initiative.

“We recognize that for children to be successful, they need as many opportunities as possible to learn and thrive,” said Kate Brewster, chief executive officer of the Jonnycake Center for Hope. “Our partnership with URI’s College of Education will provide out-of-school time programs and services that can help close the opportunity gaps for students of color and those who are economically disadvantaged.”