Schuylkill Legislators Announce Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools

HARRISBURG - School safety grants totaling more than $87,000 were awarded to two nonpublic schools in Schuylkill County, said Reps. Tim Twardzik (R-123), Jamie Barton (R-124), Dane Watro (R-116) and JoAnne Stehr (R-107), and Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).

Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville, was awarded $36,555, and River Rock Academy, Cressona, was awarded $50,840 through the Targeted School Safety for Nonpublic Schools program.

"Every student deserves to learn in a safe and secure environment," Twardzik said. "These grants will help Nativity BVM High School and River Rock Academy strengthen their safety and security measures, providing greater peace of mind for students, families, educators and staff. Investing in school safety is an investment in our children and our communities, and I am pleased to see these resources coming to Schuylkill County."

"This investment will make a meaningful difference in creating safer, more supportive learning environments for our students, staff and families," Barton said. "We are deeply grateful for the well-being of our school community and for the chance to empower schools to take important steps toward prevention and early intervention."

"Every student deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, supported and protected," Watro said. "These grants will help our nonpublic schools strengthen security, address mental health needs and take proactive steps to prevent violence."

"Keeping our schools safe is fundamental to supporting student success," Stehr said. "These grants provide important resources to help schools and safety partners strengthen security measures and expand supports that promote a healthy learning environment. I am grateful to see continued investment in protecting students, educators and school communities across Pennsylvania."

"Every student and educator deserves to feel safe at school," Argall said. "I am pleased this highly competitive funding was awarded to Nativity BVM High School and River Rock Academy."

The Targeted School Safety for Nonpublic Schools program is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program provides funding to nonpublic schools to address school violence prevention and student mental health needs. Funding is also available to municipalities, law enforcement agencies and approved school security personnel vendors that provide school security services to public and nonpublic schools.

ARGALL CONTACT: Seth Hubler
TWARDZIK/STEHR CONTACT: Will Jones
BARTON CONTACT: Jake Gillespie
WATRO CONTACT: Chris Comisac