GEAR UP awards grant

At the Thompson Falls School Board meeting on Monday, Superintendent Bill Cain said that the school again received the GEAR UP grant in the amount of $102,000.

“If you took that out, our school would look very different,” Cain said. “The professional development and opportunities for kids are awesome.” Cain commended the school’s GEAR UP liaison, Penny Beckman, for her efforts.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Montana a seven-year, $28 million GEAR UP grant last year. Montana also was awarded the grant in 1999, 2005 and 2011, according to the program’s website.

GEAR UP serves students in grades 7-12 and offers opportunities to improve high school graduation and college enrollment rates. In Montana, 8,800 students will receive services through the seven-year grant.

The Blue Hawk Booster Club has set an organizational meeting for Monday, Oct. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at First Security Bank. Athletic Director Jake Mickelson said that anyone who wants to be involved is invited to attend that meeting.