The Robstown ISD has recently been awarded $2 million in grants for two programs providing resources for some students with autism and dyslexia.
Robstown ISD is the pilot district for the effort, and they’ll be sharing the money with nine other area school districts. Those districts include Agua Dulce ISD, Aransas County ISD, Aransas Pass ISD, Benavides ISD, Bishop ISD, Ingleside ISD, Port Aransas ISD, San Diego ISD and Sinton ISD.
Grades pre-K through third grade in the participating districts will have access to some of the new resources. These include innovative new technology that helps improve students’ sensory, motor and communication skills.
Some new additions could provide a separate room with classroom tools like a sensory wall, trampolines, or bubble columns.
Teachers will also complete additional training for an enhanced curriculum. The training begins this week, with a longer, more hands-on session continuing in November.
Teachers across the Coastal Bend, including Lotspeich Elementary School’s Erica Garcia, are already eagerly anticipating additional classroom help.
“We are very limited,” Garcia said. “We are implementing a lot of stuff but when we get this [the grants]. We can have the latest and greatest – a dream classroom.”
Among the 10 districts, about 300 students will benefit from the program. It’s a collaborative effort between staff and experts across the Coastal Bend.
“When you have passion and group of people who are ready to serve them [the kids], wonderful things happen,” Garcia said.
April Diaz has a 3-year-old son who attends Lotspeich. Parents like her are also looking forward to the progress their kids make as the programs are implemented.
“It’s awesome,” Diaz said. “It’s like winning the lottery, but it’s a grant for autism. That’s the best thing you could get.”
Robstown ISD hopes the grants will be renewed for another year. They’ll learn at the end of this school year if they obtain that funding.
