Over $26,000 in grants has been awarded to educators by the Fayette County Education Foundation to help fund innovative teaching ideas at public schools throughout the county.

“Things that Go Vroom,” “Lasers Light the Way” and “Spooky Periodic Table” are a sampling of titles representing the 29 projects that received funding through the foundation’s mini-grant program. Mini-grant awards range from $500-1,000.

New this year was the awarding of two large grants for school-wide projects and programs costing over $1,000 to implement. Large grants were awarded to Fayetteville Intermediate for the replacement of outdated and worn broadcasting equipment used to produce Cougar Television (the school’s closed circuit television program) and McIntosh High for a freshmen camp that will be held this summer to help prepare ninth graders for high school.

The grants give educators the monetary assistance they need to bring innovative and creative programs into their schools and classrooms to help enhance the curriculum that is already in place. These programs are in addition to what is funded by the school system. Without assistance from the Fayette County Education Foundation, funding for many of these programs would not be possible.

Counting this year’s grants, the Fayette County Education Foundation has given over $156,000 to more than 400 recipients since it awarded its first grants in 2002. Funding for the grants would not be possible without the generous support of the business community, Fayette County School System employees and local individuals who have a vested interest in enhancing educational opportunities for Fayette’s students. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible.

The foundation is a cooperative effort between the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Public School System. Anyone interested in becoming a supporter of the Fayette County Education Foundation can contact Melinda Berry-Dreisbach at the Fayette County Board of Education, 770-460-3535.

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