BOUNTIFUL — There are more tutors at Adelaide Elementary this year than last, and there is more technology. There is a new after-school program, preschools and breakfast every day for each of the 643 students.
These programs come as a result of Adelaide’s designation as a Title I school.
“It’s a really, really good program,” said Becky Bouvang, principal at Adelaide. “All the little things individually combined together can really make a difference.”
Making sure each child feels safe when at school is one of Bouvang’s two objectives. The second is making sure each receives the best education possible.
“Being fortunate enough to receive Title I funds makes meeting my goals and objectives easier,” she said. “We are able to provide opportunities that might not otherwise have been provided.”
To qualify for the designation, more than 40 percent of students must be on free or reduced-price lunches, according to John Zurbuchen, director of federal programs at Davis School District.
The Title I program begain in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty.
It has been reauthorized over the years, most recently during the administration of George W. Bush as part of the No Child Left Behind act.
Through the program, the federal government provides the district additional money for each child who is already getting lunches either entirely or partially reimbursed due to considerations such as family income and size.
Schools can be added to the Title I program at the discretion of district officials, though they must meet the 40 percent threshhold to be considered. Schools must be added in order of need, so the school with the highest percentage of free and reduced-price lunch students will be served first.
For about 10 years, 14 elementary schools in Davis County met the criteria for Title I funding, according to Zurbuchen. In the last two years, Meadowbrook, King and Adelaide elementary schools have been added. North Davis became the first junior high in the district to be designated as a Title I school this year.
Districts receiving Title I monies can choose to “target assist” only those in need or establish the program to benefit students schoolwide. Davis district’s programs are all schoolwide.
For more information check out the Sept.27 edition of Davis Clipper.
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