Phil Castle, The Business Times

Applications will be accepted through April 22 for the first of two rounds of grants to promote social emotional learning in Mesa County School District 51.

Alpine Bank donated $50,000 to the School District 51 Foundation to fund the grants. The foundation will in turn award grants in various sizes to teachers, counselors and principals.

“We’re hopeful this is a way to really help our students,” said Clay Tufly, regional president of Alpine Bank in Mesa County.

Tufly was among the bank, foundation and school district officials who announced the effort during a news conference at R-5 High School in Grand Junction.

Social emotional learning is a process through which people — children and adults alike — acquire and apply knowledge, attitudes and skills to understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, develop relationships and make decisions.

Social emotional learning can help students not only perform better academically, but also cope with stress.

Tufly said addressing mental health issues is important, especially at a time when students face even more stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Promoting the emotional well-being of students can make a difference for the rest of their lives and ultimately promote the well-being of the community, he said.

Angela Christensen, executive director  of the School District 51 Foundation, said small and large grants will be offered  in four categories to fund training for teachers and staff, curriculum and instructional resources, items for creating supportive classrooms and opportunities for students.

The donation will fund two, $25,000 rounds of grants. Applications for the first round will be accepted through April 22. The second round is scheduled to begin Sept. 1 with an application deadline of Oct. 15.

The foundation raises funds to increase student access to technology and other resources as well as professional learning for teachers.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” Christensen said. “It is going to make a huge difference.”

Diana Sirko, superintendent of Mesa County School District 51, said the donation constitutes the latest example of a tradition of philanthropy and support for the communities Alpine Bank serves. “It’s a game changer.”

Raul De Villegas-Decker, a psychologist and consultant who serves as president of the School District 51 Foundation Board of Directors, agreed. “We want to thank you, absolutely thank you.”