SALT LAKE CITY — Kearns-St. Ann School started the school year with a big surprise for the students and their families, who returned to campus to find that the multipurpose area, which doubles as a gymnasium, had been remodeled thanks to a grant from the ALSAM Foundation.
The grant also was used to pay for a new roof and improved flooring and lighting for the school building, which is more than 34 years old and has seen few improvements since its construction.
School officials applied for the grant after completing a needs assessment.
This year, the school increased its enrollment by 25 percent. About 85 percent of the student population of the school receives financial assistance, so the grant was very appreciated, said Susan Nakaba, principal.
“The low socioeconomic level of our families makes it challenging for the school to raise substantial funding for capital improvements,” she said. “The school does hold an annual auction, with most of the proceeds going primarily to the operating budget. For this reason, we are humbled to receive funds to cover several much-needed capital improvements in the school. … Moreover, our existing families need to feel the school is doing all it can to provide the very best facilities for its students.”
The multipurpose/gym space is heavily used throughout the day. Students meet there daily for morning assembly. Physical education courses take place there during the school day, and it also is used for a volleyball and basketball program throughout the year, Nakaba said.
In addition, the space is used for recess during poor weather days. After school, the City of South Salt Lake uses it for an extended-day program for students.
“This program is fully funded by the city and it is provided at no cost to Kearns-St. Ann families,” Nakaba said. “We are grateful for the ALSAM Foundation’s generosity to Kearns-St. Ann’s School and thank the foundation for their consideration of our grant request. Many children have been touched by the foundation’s kindness and benevolence.”
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