| Education Foundation awards 60 innovative teaching grants | ||
| And the winners are… the more than 21,000 Baytown and Highlands students who will reap the benefits for years to come in grants awarded by the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation. During two days in May, the Foundation’s “Grant Surprise Patrol” took turns delivering grant money to 60 educators in Goose Creek CISD totaling more than $105,000 to support innovative programs for a wide range of educational projects. It was the non-profit foundation’s fourth round of funding for innovative teaching programs. In all, the foundation has awarded 148 grants totaling more than $211,000 benefiting students and teachers across the district. Students and teachers in all of Goose Creek CISD’s schools were visited by one of two “Surprise Patrols,” made up of Foundation Board members and community members. The excitement was apparent as supersized checks were given to teachers who submitted grant applications for new and innovative teaching ideas and curriculum enhancements. Counselor Janet Tello at Harlem Elementary School was one of the surprised recipients. Her $1,000 grant will go toward the purchase of books and educational materials focusing on character education. “You made my year,” she told Foundation members. Grants awarded ranged in subject matter, covering art, science, math, educational technology, reading and much more. These grants provide a substantial boost to individual teachers and the district as a whole in strengthening student achievement. The hefty checks ranged from just under $500 for a specific classroom initiative to nearly $3,000 for technology enhancements spanning grade levels across the district. See complete list of 2012 grant winners here. Each of the grants awarded will support initiatives during the 2012-2013 school year and beyond, noted Superintendent Dr. Toby York. |
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“While these activities will directly benefit students
enrolled in these schools and programs, the academic boost that it will
give these students will last a lifetime," he said. “These awards represent strong community support for achieving educational excellence in the schools and at a level beyond the reach of limited state funding and school property tax capacity,” said Foundation President David Frazier. “The success of these grants is made possible through the generous contributions of Goose Creek CISD employees, parents and corporate partners as well as the dedication and passion of our district’s teachers.” Each year, the Foundation gives Goose Creek CISD educators the opportunity to apply for grant money to pay for educational resources that the district is not able to fund. And each year, Foundation members and several of the district's business partners — with the support of high school cheerleaders and drummers — do their own version of the Publishers Clearing House “prize patrol” to surprise teachers with the news that their request will be granted. The Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation relies solely on donations to fund grants each year. Established in 2009, the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation aims to enhance community support and expand resources that enrich teaching, inspire learning, and maximize opportunities for all students in the Goose Creek school system. The Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation is charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Service section 501(c)(3) and contributions to the organization are tax deductible. If you would like to be a part of the Foundation, contact the GCCISD Education Foundation office at P.O. Box 8081, Baytown, Texas, 77522; by phone at 281-420-4813; or check out its website. To view photos of the 2012 Surprise Patrol click here. |
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