Wednesday, April 17, 2002
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Wednesday, April 17, 2002 |
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Education Foundation Awards First Teacher Mini-Grants Approximately $10,500 has been awarded to local teachers through the Fayette County Education Foundation mini-grant program. These mini-grants are the first to be awarded through the foundation thanks to the generosity of local businesses and school system employees who made, and continue to make, donations to the organization. The non-profit foundation became fully operational nearly one year ago with the mission of supplementing the existing curriculum of the Fayette County School System by providing teachers with monetary aid for the implementation of innovative programs for which no other funding may exist. Both the school system and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce unanimously support the foundation. A call for mini-grant proposals was sent out to all Fayette County public schools in January. Although teachers were encouraged to submit a proposal for grants that would support any type of academic program, emphasis was placed on those that were directly linked to reading and technology two disciplines that have been identified as necessary for success in the 21st Century. The foundation received 51 applications totaling $23,000. Through a competitive selection process, 26 grants were awarded to teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels for the implementation of programs spanning most major subjects. Almost half of the grants funded were for reading and language arts while the majority of those awarded encompassed the use of technology. "As a community, we should be grateful to all of the teachers who took the time to complete the applications. Their efforts demonstrate the depth of commitment these teachers have to our school system and students," says foundation secretary Rick Lindsey. "I applaud each and every teacher who applied." Teachers receiving awards will be required to submit a written report describing how the funded program enhanced classroom learning. This information will be made available to all present and future donors. The Fayette County Education Foundation is always in the process of accepting donations so that it can continue to support the innovative ideas of teachers. All donations made to the foundation are tax deductible. Next year, the foundation's goal is to have generated enough to donations to cover every request that is submitted. "I am very excited about the programs which the foundation was able to fund this year. My only regret is that we did not have enough money to fund all of the grant requests. However, we were able to award money for one-half of all the applications submitted. Hopefully next year we will have the financial resources to fund every application," states Lindsey. Anyone interested in making a donation, learning more about the foundation or volunteering to assist with the foundation's efforts can call 770-460-3535, ext. 122. Teachers receiving the first mini-grant awards from the foundation are Susan Thornton, North Fayette Elementary; Linda Furey, North Fayette Elementary; Diana Caldwell, Brooks Elementary; Andrea Mueller, Burch Elementary; Mary Ann Velasco, McIntosh High; Lisa Williams Fine, Rising Starr Middle; Jane Ramig, Rising Starr Middle; Elaine Johnson, Braelinn Elementary; Judy Chambers, Brooks Elementary; Joe Yarbrough, Fayette County Evening High; Tammy Strickland, Peachtree City Elementary; Mindi Hooten, Hood Avenue Primary; and Cathy Nix, Rising Starr Middle. Also receiving mini-grant awards are Michelle Lovelace and Mary Anne White, North Fayette Elementary; Judy Chambers and Linda Furey, Brooks Elementary; Vickie Sproul, Rising Starr Middle; Joliene Price, Rising Starr Middle; Jane Stilwell, Sandy Creek High; Debra Mitchell, Booth Middle; Greg Parsons, Rising Starr Middle; Kristi Dooley, Brooks Elementary; Deborah Dunham, Braelinn Elementary; Michelle Serbun, Oak Grove Elementary; Alisha Powell, Rising Starr Middle; Chrishirella Warthen, North Fayette Elementary and Dan Gant, Starr's Mill High.
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