Spring Branch Education Foundation Awards $162,616 in Grants
At its last Board meeting before the end of the 2007-08 school year, the Spring Branch Education Foundation approved $162,616 in grants that will be used for projects throughout Spring Branch Independent School District
Grants are awarded to school district departments and campuses for projects that enhance education. The Foundation calls for grant applications, up to $5,000 each, from any of its 47 school campuses. School faculties and volunteers are encouraged to apply.
“Financial pressures on public education prohibit the district from funding many worthy and innovative projects. The Education Foundation provides students with educational opportunities they might not otherwise have,” says Gary Junek, chair of the SBEF Board of Directors. “All grants are evaluated on the impact they have on students.”
In addition to the grants, the Foundation awarded $26,000 for scholarships through the Employee Campaign and the Spring Branch Council of PTAs. The scholarships were awarded to college-bound students and to teachers for professional development.
May 2008 campus grant recipients:
- Edgewood Elementary School – Teachers for the Supporting Young Scientists program believe you’re never too young to be a scientist! Bilingual materials aim for a 3-D and 2-D approach for indoor and outdoor learning with carefully-chosen books and child-friendly microscopes and other instruments.
- Houseman Elementary School – The After-School Program will purchase academic and enrichments materials for arts, science and general instruction.
- Memorial Middle School – Students included in the AIM Program (Autism Intervention and Management) will use digital video recording and editing equipment to learn social and communicative skills. This daily elective will focus on developing self-awareness and self-monitoring. For eighth graders, lessons will include transition to high school.
- Memorial High School – The Algebra Rescue Program will assist students who have problems with algebra due to poor math, reading and study skills. These skills will be addressed daily in two-hour blocks.
- Rummel Creek Elementary School – 10 Frames is a hands-on approach to mathematics for pre-K through third grade. The program uses developmentally appropriate manipulatives and games to emphasize place value and problem-solving.
- Shadow Oaks Elementary School – The school will create a science lab for pre-K through second grade. The hands-on lab, with age-appropriate equipment and supplies, will provide an environment that will foster the students’ love for science.
- Spring Woods High School – Juniors and seniors will enjoy a new hands-on Aquatic Science class. Students will learn about fresh and saltwater ecosystems as they research, establish and maintain a classroom aquarium throughout the year.
- Thornwood Elementary School – Raising Lifelong Readers is a program that not only increases students’ love of reading, but raises their confidence level, as well. Books, in English and Spanish, will focus on nonfiction and informational guided reading.
- Treasure Forest Elementary School – A Free Voluntary Reading Program will make fiction and non-fiction books accessible to first graders – in the classroom and at home. The books will also be available to students in summer school.
District-wide grants:
- Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum – The grant will help fund Road Shows that take the museum to first grade classrooms and Study Trips for second graders who travel to the museum. Both programs are closely coordinated with grade-level curriculum.
- Fine Arts Department – The annual Running for the Arts event supports the Arts Partners Program. The Program provides cultural arts field trips for SBISD students, grades one through eight. Students experience performances and exhibitions by premier arts organizations such as the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera or the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – many for the first time.
- Good Neighbor Program – This program encourages, recognizes and supports broad-based efforts to strengthen the district and community. In October 2007, 120 Good Neighbors were recognized – the district hopes to honor 200 recipients in 2008.
- Health Fitness Teachers Association – This organization sponsors college scholarships for students, teacher scholarships for professional development, community awareness programs and more.
- J. Landon Short Mini-Grants for Educators – Mini-grants, up to $500 each, are awarded to SBISD educators who wish to go beyond standard curricula activities and materials to enrich the learning environment. This program touches students on every campus and fosters new best practices for teaching and learning.
- SpringBoard Mentor Program – Approximately 800 mentors spend an hour each week with students on 20 SBISD campuses. The program connects caring community members with students “on the brink of success.” This relationship helps students build self-confidence, develop communication and interpersonal skills, discover their passions and find meaningful connections between school and the future.
“We encourage PTAs, principals, and teachers to apply for these grants,” says Cece Thompson, SBEF administrator. “Our fall 2008 call for grants will be in September, and the recipients will be announced in December. Our PTA volunteers and faculty are so creative, we always look forward to reviewing the applications.”
Community members who wish to support a specific program in the district or at a designated campus can make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation and earmark it for it for that school. Call 713-365-4781 or visit sbef@springbranchisd.com for more information.
The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of education for every student in SBISD. Founded in 1993, SBEF provides donors with a vehicle for making tax-deductible gifts to the district. In 15 years, the Foundation has raised more than $5.5 million and received the Houston Business Promise Award from the Greater Houston Partnership.
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posted 06-11-08
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