MONTE VISTA — Bill Metz Elementary School in Monte Vista will receive $50,000 in addition to being named among 21 winners of the Governor’s Bright Spot Awards.

Gov. Jared Polis announced the winners Friday.

The funding is emergency relief funding aimed at helping students recover from the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unprecedented challenges schools faced through the pandemic were difficult to navigate but, your schools, teachers and communities showed incredible resilience and I am honored to highlight you all,” Polis said.

To qualify for the grant, schools must have advanced more than two bands on their performance framework since 2019.

The schools receive $50,000 in GEER funds that go towards expanding student resources, faculty development, preparing and preventing public health emergencies and other opportunities that benefit students’ learning experiences.

“Congratulations to these schools that have shown strong improvements in results despite the pandemic, and to all those that worked to advance students’ learning over the last three years,” Polis said.