IN McKeesport Summer 2019 | Página 9

ministries to meet the needs of the times in education, campus ministry, health care, pastoral care, social work, peace and justice concerns, as well as serving the poor and homeless and those who are seeking asylum. 2019 MCKEESPORT INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE August 13, 14 & 15 Fireworks Tuesday, Aug. 13 (weather permitting) 3 to 9 p.m. Admission: $2 donation at gate It’s one of the Pittsburgh area’s oldest and largest ethnic festivals, back for its 60th annual celebration! Founded in 1960, International Village is a three-day celebration of shared traditions and heritage, including food, music, dancing, traditional clothing and crafts. THRIVAL IS BACK! On Sept. 18-20, the seventh annual Thrival Festival will take place, exploring the impact of technology on business, society and culture as well as the ever- changing relationship of music and technology. This year’s Thrival Festival will focus on celebrating and supporting Pittsburgh innovators and entrepreneurs with the theme “By Pittsburgh. For Pittsburgh. For the World.” It will feature Pittsburgh innovators in business, research and the arts. This festival experience will take place in the Innovation District (Oakland section of Pittsburgh), which is at the center of research, talent, technology and an entrepreneurial spirit. For more information on the festival, visit thrivalfestival.com, and follow Thrival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thrival Innovation tickets are available at Eventbrite. n MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BENEFIT FROM MORE THAN $160,000 IN 21ST CENTURY LEARNING CENTER GRANTS State Rep. Austin Davis, D-Allegheny, announced that the McKeesport Area School District will benefit from $165,160 in 21st Century Learning Center grants awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The intent of the program is to support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low- performing Title I schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading, math and science; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children. “The funding that comes by way of the 21st Century Learning grants is key when it comes to providing extended educational opportunities at McKeesport Area School District,” Davis said. “The afterschool initiatives funded by this grant program further solidify the work being done inside the classroom and allow students to prosper once the school day comes to an end. I’d like to thank Governor Tom Wolf and the state Department of Education for their unwavering commitment to commonwealth students, their education and to providing continued educational opportunities outside the classroom.” One of the grants, totaling $60,160, was awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA and will be used for programs at McKeesport Area High School. An additional $105,000 was awarded exclusively to McKeesport Area School District and will be used for programs at Francis McClure Elementary School. The 21st Century Learning Center grants “provide critical investments for communities to expand educational opportunities for students and families,” Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera said. “This year’s recipients were selected with an emphasis on improving educational equity and expanding the geographic reach of Pennsylvania’s programs. As a result, more students across the state will have access to wellness, literacy, and career and technical education programs, among others.” MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ SUMMER 2019 7