United Way offers COVID-19 funding to local schools

United Way board member Scott Monnett (left) and Executive Director Chris Flegal present a grant award for Greencastle Community Schools to Assistant Principal Katherine Asbell and Principal Jennifer Rhoades of Tzouanakis Intermediate School. The funding was allocated toward personal protective equipment (PPE).

Courtesy photo

Through its COVID-19 Community Relief Fund, the United Way of Putnam County has made grants available to each Putnam County school corporation to help them through the challenges of this school year and ensure the safety of students and staff.

Since the funding was made available in August, Greencastle and North Putnam have taken advantage of these grants to help improve the quality of care for their students and staff.

“We know how stressful and disruptive COVID-19 is on our community’s youth and educators. This funding is designed to help solve some of the challenges in our schools during this difficult time,” said Executive Director Chris Flegal. “We are already seeing the fruits of this work in how each participating school corporation has decided to utilize the funding.”

Executive Director Chris Flegal presents a grant award for North Putnam Community Schools to Superintendent Nicole Singer. This funding was allocated toward mental health and self-care resources.

Courtesy photo

North Putnam Community Schools has used a grant of $2,900 to support the mental health of its entire staff by purchasing books and establishing a work group that promotes self-care.

“The last year has been challenging, regardless of the staff member’s role at North Putnam, and research tells us that when we take care of ourselves first, we can take better care of those who we are responsible for,” said North Putnam Superintendent Nicole Singer. “This will positively impact our students, because our staff members will be less stressed and better able to attend to the needs of our students.”

A grant of $2,500 was awarded to Greencastle Community Schools at the beginning of the semester to help purchase water bottle filling stations, hand sanitizer and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

Greencastle Superintendent Jeff Gibboney said he appreciates the support of the United Way, and that, “the donation has been put to great use in supporting nearly 2,000 staff and students during the pandemic.”

To find out more about the United Way’s impact in Putnam County, visit www.unitedwayofputnamcounty.org.