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Chester County Press

Avon Grove among Safe Schools Grants recipients

03/05/2014 03:44PM ● By Acl

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) recently announced that $219,259 in competitive grants have been awarded to schools in Chester County and Delaware County to help prevent and reduce incidents of violence. The grants, released under the state’s new Safe Schools Targeted Grant program, are intended to help schools:


• Reduce unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promoting an environment of greater productivity, safety and learning;

• Provide professional development to staff using research-based violence prevention and classroom management programs; and

• Enhance anti-violence efforts with parents, local governments, law enforcement and community organizations.

“Reducing violence in our schools is critical to establishing a good learning environment,” said Sen.Pileggi. “I’m pleased these schools are taking a proactive approach to addressing this important issue.”

The grant awards in Chester and Delaware Counties included:


•  Avon Grove School District, $25,000

• Chester Community Charter School, $25,000

•  Chester Upland School District, $23,600

•  Delaware County Intermediate Unit 25, $24,998

•  Great Valley School District, $25,000

•  Ridley School District, $23,661

•  Southeast Delco School District, $22,000

•  Upper Darby School District, $25,000

•  William Penn School District, $25,000


Schools were eligible to receive up to $25,000, with the following programs considered for funding: Conflict resolution or dispute management; school-wide positive behavior support; school-based diversion programs; classroom management; research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors to reduce incidents of problem behaviors among students; training for Student Assistance Program team members; and staff training in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.