SEAFORD – Supporting the needs of uninsured and underserved families and reducing health care disparity are primary goals of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
That commitment led to a recent $17,500 grant from the health insurer’s grant fund, Blueprints for the Community, to Sussex Montessori School, which brings quality education and support services to a diverse enrollment of young students from western Sussex County.
“We are happy to support (the school’s) program to ensure students and their families have access to the resources they need to stay healthy and engaged,” said, Nick Moriello, President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware in a statement.
Sussex Montessori opened in September, 2020 to 263 students in its first classes of K-3rd grade students. Over the next three years the school will grow to 460 students in grades K-6 at its campus in Seaford, Delaware. The school recently completed a successful lottery and is accepting children for the wait list for the fall of 2021.
Lisa Coldiron, Head of School, said the Highmark grant will be put toward its new Wrap-Around Services Center, which provides speech and language therapy, special education classes and social worker support for about 70 of the school’s students.
Additional features to be developed will include relocation of the nurse’s office, a family food cupboard through the Harry K. Foundation, a clothing closet and other services.
“We have been so pleased with the support and interest the school has received from our communities,” said Coldiron in a statement, “and we are committed to helping all our children receive the support they need to fully engage a quality Montessori education.”
