August 22, 2007

News Release

TISD Foundation Announces Fall 2007

Grants to Teachers/Campuses

Some of the teachers in Tyler ISD will be getting a little extra money in the classroom budgets this fall, thanks to the Tyler ISD Foundation’s incentive grant program.  More than $23,000 worth of grants were awarded to 9 campuses at Convocation ceremonies on Monday, August 20^th.  The Foundation has provided close to $60,000 in grants to classrooms and campuses during 2007.

“These grants are part of the Foundation’s efforts in providing funding for innovative ideas by teachers, teams of teachers, campuses, or district-wide programs,” said Larry Goddard, Executive Director.  “This year marks a partnership with the Junior League of Tyler, Inc. who provided $10,000 for the fall awards and will add $10,000 for the spring grant awards as well.”

In addition, five Junior League members have been placed as volunteers for the Foundation and are responsible for the ceremonial presentation of the awards to the teachers. 

Other funding for grants is derived from donations the Tyler ISD Foundation receives from area contributors.

“This fall we are awarded grants from pre-school to high school in a variety of subjects, from physics to good manners,” Goddard said.  “Our competitive grant process is open to all Tyler ISD employees and we hope to grow the amounts of the grants so that an even greater positive impact will reach the students.”

The fall 2007 grants are awarded to the following:

Christy Allen, Jimmy Bybee and Jennifer Scott of John Tyler High School in association with the University of Texas at Tyler, received $3,960 for their project, “Can You Float a Cement Boat?”  The students will actually be building cement boats.  With the project, they will calculate speed, acceleration, momentum as well as the possibilities of buoyancy through computer design.

Deanna Molloy, of Hubbard Middle School, received $1,000 for her proposed “T-Bot Robotics”.  The students will be provided an opportunity to investigate a robotic arm, thereby learning the concepts of science, technology, engineering and math. 

Melinda Bentley, Ginger Pippin, Steven Ladd of T.J. Austin Elementary were awarded $3,000 for their joint effort in math and science entitled, “Exploring the World of Science.”  The fourth and fifth grade students will be forming an after-school science club with the intent of enriching their academic support network.

Heather Gentry of Bonner Elementary was awarded $996.40 for her visual art, writing and public speaking project called, “Picture This:  Connecting Photography to Language.”  The fourth grade participants will create a public display of their photographs paired with written and verbal reflections.

Stephanie Atteberry, Ann Frazier, and Karen Phillips of Clarkston Elementary were awarded $5,000 for their team science project called “Lab Rats”.  This after school science enrichment program will benefit third, fourth and fifth graders in joint efforts with classroom teachers and the University of Texas at Tyler.

Jana McWain from Dixie Elementary received $393 for the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) with her proposal of “Fine Motor Activity Boxes for Preschool Students.”  Ms. McWain’s project will create activity boxes for the children with disabilities to take to their home.  Parents will receive training on the use of the motor skill exercises.

Wheeler Jones, Rodney Miller, Jason Brown, Sheila Higginbotham, Tammie Herndon, Tammy Dailey, Sandra Jones, Camille Buie, and Jana McWain from Dixie Elementary have a single $2,000 grant with two purposes.  “Texas Belles:  A Mentoring Program for Girls” and “Boys 2 Men School Connect” are programs designed for the students at Dixie Elementary in a mentoring program for skills in courtesy, poise, confidence, manners and self-discipline.

Leslie Ring and Deborah Sims at Bryan C. Jack Elementary joined efforts with music, American history, and theatre for their $1,000 project entitled, “American Patriots—Yesterday and Today.”  The project will introduce students to early American patriots in order to develop an understanding and appreciation for past patriots.

Jessica Cox, Rachel Abston, Anna Lee, Aleshia Walker from Jack Elementary won a $3,352 grant for volunteer kits for kindergarten classrooms.  Their project is named “Emergency Kits for Kindergarten Volunteers.”  These kits will each have student specific skill training so that volunteers will have exact curricula for the students.

Robert Ogden from St. Louis School will be conducting a project called “Shopping with a Purpose.”  The $500 grant will support students who will take part in shopping for, making and delivering gifts for Meals on Wheels in Tyler.

Patricia Cooper and Katheryn Shannon from TARGET (Tyler’s Academic Resources for the Gifted and Educationally Talented) created a cross discipline program entitled “Liquid Treasure….Water!” and were awarded $1,965.  The project will provide academically gifted elementary students an opportunity for complete study of water in regards to personal, public and environmental health.

###