JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley school board approved applying for six grants at a meeting on Monday, Jan. 22, including one that could help fund a girls flag football team.

The school board requested $3,000 from the Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Football Fund to pay for uniforms, coaching and transportation for girls flag football, which will be a new club sport for Seneca Valley beginning in spring 2024.

The board also approved applying for a five-year disbursement of $510,705 for after school programs. The Century Community Learning Center grant could help cover the cost of the after-school and summer program at Ryan Gloyer Middle School, which offers homework help, tutoring, physical activity and family engagement opportunities.

The after-school program was implemented last school year and currently serves 50 students per night, two nights a week during the winter, and three to four nights per week during the fall and spring.

Additionally, the board approved applying for a $5,000 grant to help cover the cost of musical equipment, and a $28,180 grant that supports ESL learners from Ukraine. Two other grant applications could provide funds to promote Holocaust curriculum development and awareness.

Assistant principal Trisha Butschle announced the newest All-Star award winner for the month, IT paraprofessional Patti Ristey. The Seneca Valley All-Star club spotlights the district’s “unsung heroes,” who range from cafeteria workers to administrative assistants to bus drivers.

“I’m very proud of our work ethic and growth,” Ristey said. “We are an amazing team that powered through summer, as we prepared the 7,300 student laptops and every district classroom for the upcoming school year.”

The board also approved the 2024-25 student-teacher calendar. The first student day will be Aug. 22, while the last day for K-11 students is June 6. The last day for seniors will be May 29.