Grant awarded to Lucketts Elementary School

During COVID-19, the Lucketts Elementary School PTA focused on “ensuring students’ health and safety” with the objective of “supporting students’ emotional and mental well-being.”  

With the help of a Youth Development Grant from the Lucketts Ruritan Club, the PTA will host a virtual assembly for Lucketts Elementary School students and families in April.  Dr. Blake Brandes, a youth motivational speaker, hip-hop educator, music producer, and student leadership expert, will lead the virtual assembly. 

Lucketts Ruritan Club President, Al Menendez, presented a check for $3,250 to PTA President Lauren O’Laughlin and acting school Principal Mr. James Person on March 1.  “Investing in our children is the greatest investment our Club can make.  We established our Youth Development Grant Program in 2019 to help prepare our children for their futures,” said Mr. Menendez.

“During the pandemic, our students are facing uncertainty, disruption to routine, fear of falling ill, and many other stressful factors.  Now more than ever, it’s important to keep our minds healthy, not to neglect practicing self-care, and to prioritize mental health,” notes Lucketts PTA President, Lauren O’Laughlin. “The $3,250 grant received from the Lucketts Ruritan Club is making this possible. Our hope is the assembly with Dr. Brandes will help our students develop the confidence to persevere even through challenging times. Our goal is for our students to have some tools at their disposal if they are beginning to feel anxious, worried, or alone so that they can keep their minds healthy,” she said.

In addition to hosting the assembly, the grant will enable the PTA to provide Lucketts Elementary School teachers with additional books focused on social emotional learning for read aloud activities with students.  Resources for the school’s professional library, such as “The Mental Health and Well Being Handbook for Schools: Transforming Mental Health Support on a Budget” will help teachers prepare for critical check-ins and support students in a time of hybrid/virtual learning.  
To learn more about the Lucketts Ruritan Club’s Youth Development Grant Program, go to https://luckettsruritan.org/scholarship.