Galion Middle School selected as semi-finalist for $10,000 grant

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The Galion Middle School has been selected as a semi-finalist in the NBC4 Make a Difference School Grant program. Starting Feb. 24, the Galion community will have the chance to make a positive change in the Galion Middle School through engagement in online social voting via Facebook and at www.NBC4MakeADifference.com.

Galion Middle School is competing against other schools in the “Medium” category, which includes schools with enrollment of 401-800. If the Middle School is one of the top six vote getters in its size classification, GMS will move on to the final round of judging and the opportunity to win one of three $10,000 grants this school year.

“We applied in the ‘Think’ category with the goal of securing funding to start the GMS Literacy Program,” Middle School Principal Jennifer Allerding said. “This grant would allow us to create literacy areas at GMS, and it would allow us to support literacy-based programs outside of the school day for students and their families.”

In addition to the aforementioned programs, there will be a heavy emphasis placed on developing strong readers and writers, while at the same time developing the love of reading. The GMS Literacy Program would also provide resources for teachers to utilize in the classroom that support literacy.

“The GMS Literacy Program will work to provide support for literacy across the entire middle school curriculum,” Allerding said. “This would be the first literacy-based program at GMS.”

Should the Galion Middle School be successful, it would be one of only three schools in central Ohio to win a $10,000 grant. Galion and Crawford County community members, along with current Galion students, alumni and staff, are encouraged to cast their votes daily to help propel GMS into the finals.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our community to help the Galion Middle School win a grant that will provide funding to start the GMS Literacy Program,” Superintendent Mark Stefanik said. “I would encourage students, parents, staff, alumni and Galion and Crawford County community members to join me in voting once a day starting Feb. 24. Together, we can give Galion Middle School students the tools and resources they need to thrive.”

One vote can be cast each day beginning Feb. 24. To cast your vote via Facebook, search “NBC4” on Facebook, click on the Make A Difference logo, click on the “VOTE” tab, search for Galion Middle School and cast your vote for the Tigers.

Voting can also be done through the contest website. To cast your vote online, go to www.NBC4MakeADifference.com, click on the “VOTE” tab, search and vote for Galion Middle School.