Marble Falls, Burnet schools partner up for student enrichment opportunities

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — Marble Falls and Burnet students could be taking guitar lessons or studying other activities if the two Burnet County school districts land a federal grant.

“This is a great opportunity that would allow us to provide enrichment and academic programs outside the regular classroom environment,” said Marble Falls Independent School District Superintendent Rob O’Connor. “With such a focus on over-assessment and over-testing, school districts have lost focus on giving kids the chance to explore and learn other activities. This is an opportunity to give that back to students because we really want to develop well-rounded students.”

MFISD and the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District are partnering up to apply for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, O’Connor said.

The two districts also have reached out to local organizations such as Harmony School of Creative Arts, the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes and Literacy Highland Lakes to join with them on the grant and provide additional enrichment and academic learning experiences.

“It’s a federal grant that flows through the state,” O’Connor said.

If awarded to the Burnet and Marble Falls school districts, the programs would begin at the start of the 2013 academic school year. The grant would cover the programs’ cost as well as transportation to and from after-school classes.

The programs would be open to all students, not just those needing additional help. O’Connor said students would not be required to take academic support programs in order to take enrichment classes such as music lessons.

“They can take one or the other or both,” he said. “It gives the school districts the chance to enhance what we offer and continue to meet the needs of the students and community.”

The grants should be awarded in June, O’Connor said.

daniel@thepicayune.com