ACES Education Association Co-President Bill Jacobs was pleasantly surprised when California Casualty representative Marie Gull announced Whitney High School East/West had received a grant to purchase equipment for the softball team.
Special education students in Hamden playing on their school’s softball team will soon have new pride in their school and their abilities thanks to a grant from California Casualty. Whitney High School East/West vocational teacher and local association co-president Bill Jacobs submitted an application that has allowed the school to receive a $2,000 grant to purchase uniforms and equipment including bats, bags, and helmets for the team.
California Casualty representative Marie Gull announced the grant during a faculty meeting at the school, which serves students ages 14 to 21 who exhibit a range of cognitive, physical, behavioral, language, and medical challenges. The Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) school emphasizes preparing students for the transition to life and work.
Vocational teacher Bill Jacobs and physical education teacher Matt Rice were excited about what the grant will mean for their students.
Jacobs was surprised and elated that the grant application he wrote had been chosen to receive funding. “This is really going to make a difference for the kids,” said Jacobs.
Gym teacher and softball coach Matt Rice said that the team meets during the school day to practice and play against teams from other area special education schools. Unlike many traditional public schools, there is no second run of buses so sports and other activities must take place during the regular school hours.
“This will be great for the kids,” said Rice. “It allows them to participate in activities that they otherwise wouldn’t have any way to access.”
The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant provides grants to help subsidize school sports programs in ways such as purchasing new equipment or paying for competition travel costs.
If your school is interested in applying for the California Casualty Athletics Grant, you can find all application information here.
