NEWS RELEASE: RMS Partners with Covenant Missions for After-School Virtual Reality Program

Roseville Middle School is the benefactor of a generous grant courtesy of Covenant Missions, who donated 30 Meta Oculus 2 Virtual Reality Headsets to the school for an after-school program. The package features educational games and content - including VR educational field trips – as well as headset storage, rechargeable batteries, charging stations, and a 2-year warranty. The grant also includes paid curriculum development for staff and additional pay for club sponsors staying after school hours.

In late 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential announced a $50 million grant program for before and after-school programs. The grants were created to help increase access to out-of-school programs to engage students in enrichment activities outside of the regular school day hours. That is when Jay C. Burns, Director of Covenant Missions, reached out to Roseville Community Schools. “Our footprint is Roseville. We have a food bank that operates here, and we have been working with literacy campaigns for years.” RCS Board of Education trustee Michelle Williams-Ward, who is also the community liaison for Covenant Missions, informed the district about the opportunity to partner for the program. “She brought the idea to Superintendent Mark Blaszkowski and Assistant Superintendent Dave Rice, who presented the idea to the board, and the board allowed us to pursue it,” Burns said.

Roseville Middle School Assistant Principal Eric Gauthier will oversee the program, with teachers Christine Beckner and Georgia Karageorgos running the after-school enrichment program. Gauthier said that the students will use the headsets during an after-school enrichment program that will meet twice a week. “Students will be able to explore ecosystems, man-made wonders in different countries, walk through a virtual construction site, and more.” Rice said the grant is a great opportunity for the Roseville Middle School students to have access to virtual reality headsets that have educational programs. “This extended day program allows us to support core area classes and supplies real-life applications of STEM technologies. We feel lucky to have been asked to participate in this program provided by Covenant Missions.”

Burns said that since the pandemic, reading levels and attendance have been a problem across the country, so he looked at innovative ways to get kids to be more engaged. “We are big on technology and literacy. We found out that these VR headsets could immerse them in places they cannot go physically and be an educational program outside of the gaming use inside the home. It became a groundbreaking partnership with Roseville Community Schools.” Burns added that he is excited that this program makes learning engaging and enjoyable for students. “I am passionate about seeing students do better and making sure they are seeing the right things on the screens. The cutting-edge technology hits all those points for their educational experience. Burns also credits State Representative Kimberly Edwards for helping secure the grant. “Edwards was a great advisor to us, writing letters and helping to get us the support we needed.

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