By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
November 20, 2013

Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School is committed to keeping students safe, and it’s vying for a nationwide grant to fulfill that mission.

Earlier this year, Scuola Vita was nominated for the STANLEY Security Together for Safer Schools grant, which will award $200,000 in STANLEY Security products and services to one school and $100,000 in products and services to three runners-up. Winners will be determined by public voting.

“It would just be huge (if we received the grant),” said Scuola Vita Business Manager Mary Pittala. “It’s important that our kids feel safe, so they can learn. I feel like if the kids feel safe, they can focus on what they’re here for, which is learning and community building.”

Currently, Scuola Vita is remodeling the former Don Bosco High School, 535 Garfield, which will become home to the charter school beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. The new space will feature larger classrooms and allow the school to accept additional students. Currently, 172 students are enrolled in Scuola Vita in grades kindergarten through eighth.

“This (security) is a huge chunk of our budget; we only have so much of a budget,” Pittala said. “The less we have to spend on security, the more we can spend on other things for the kids.”

Schools that receive the grant will receive classroom intruder locks, traditional or audio intrusion systems, video surveillance, customized lockdown capabilities, among other services and products. STANLEY Security, which has offices worldwide, currently serves more than 15,000 schools and educational institutions in North America.

“The safety of our children is a top priority at STANLEY Security, and this program will help schools get the additional security solutions they need to become safer,” said Chris Casazza, president of STANLEY Mechanical Solutions.

“Our trusted STANLEY Security advisors know that each school or district has its own unique security needs, and through this exciting grant opportunity, our experts can help to find the right mix of comprehensive solutions to meet any challenges a school may face,” said Marty Guay, vice president of Sales STANLEY Convergent Security Solutions.

Public voting opened this month and will continue through Dec. 13.

To vote for Scuola Vita, visit www.stanleysaferschools.com and enter your email. Then type in Scuola Vita Nuova and click on the school’s icon to vote. People can also vote by texting “Scuola Vita Nuova” to 99222. Residents are asked to vote daily, which gives the school more points. Each vote also counts toward an entry into the daily “Safety To-Go Kit” which includes a first aid kit and other necessary items for an emergency. The four schools receiving the most votes from now until Dec. 13 will earn the grant. Winners will be notified in December, and the grant will be awarded in 2014.

Pittala stressed that Scuola Vita is competing with other schools nationwide and that everyone’s vote is needed.

“We’re just trying to get the word out,” Pittala said. “We just need their help in voting every day.”