LOWELL – Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner is excited to announce Lowell Public Schools has been awarded $90,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support the district’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement.

Grant awards include:

Interpreter in Education Grant: $35,000

This funding, secured with assistance from Bilingual Family Liaison Lead Bahara Hussaini, will be used to train 22 bilingual family liaisons to become certified interpreters in educational settings. This initiative will strengthen communication between our schools and multilingual families, ensuring equitable access to vital educational information and decision-making processes.

Rethinking Discipline Grant: $40,000

This funding, granted to the Stoklosa Middle School through the Rethinking Discipline initiative, will fund staff professional development to create a more equitable and inclusive school environment.

Additionally, the funds will support after-school and Saturday programs to build stronger relationships with and among students, foster a sense of belonging, and develop critical social-emotional skills. Together, these efforts will enhance the school community and promote student equity.

Supporting Arts & Cultural Vitality Grant: $15,000

This funding, secured by Fine Arts Department Chair Jessica Daviso, will be used to develop an action plan to ensure equitable access to art, music, theater, and dance for all middle school students, regardless of their school or background.

“These awards speak to the commitment of LPS staff, who are always seeking out funding sources consistent with our mission to create and sustain an equitable, engaging, and fulfilling learning community for all of our students and families,” said Skinner.