PSS gets $1.65M AmeriCorps grant

The Public School System is inviting junior and senior high school students, including those from private schools, to apply for this year’s AmeriCorps program as it recently received a $1.65 million grant.

PSS education specialist and AmeriCorps director Geri Lynn Willis said yesterday that PSS had just been awarded the federal grant for the implementation of the program in the CNMI.

Willis said her office received the notice of the grant award last month. She said the grant has a duration of three years.

Willis said junior and senior high schools from private and public schools could apply for the AmeriCorps program. However, only senior high schools from private and public schools are entitled to a monthly subsidy.

“Senior student members will earn $350 per month in the program but they will have to spend a total of 900 hours per year,” she said.

The students would work part-time, said Willis. Jobs offered under the program include tutoring kindergarten to 8th grade level schoolchildren.

Only 90 seniors and 90 juniors will be accommodated in the program. Of the 90 seniors and juniors, only 20 students would be accepted from the private schools.

According to the AmeriCorps program data, members of the program would help communities solve problems in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs such as health and housing by directly getting people to serve as volunteers.

Willis said her office is now accepting applicants for the program. She aims to start interviewing potential members next month.

All interested students must submit completed application forms, copy of transcript from school indicating at least a 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale, proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. national or lawful permanent residency in the United States, and proof of being at least 17 years old at the start of AmeriCorps member service year.

Other requirements are: excellent attendance record from the school, two references (one from a teacher), completed parent recommendation form, one two-page essay on “Why I want to become a teacher,” any other pieces of information, documents or letter that could support their selection, police clearance and fingerprinting record, health clearance and proof of insurance liability coverage or release of liability letter.

“Application portfolio should be turned in to your high school principal or directly to the AmeriCorps Center located at the PREL Office inside Marianas High School campus,” she said.

For more information on the AmeriCorps grant and scholarship, contact Willis at 237-3893.