January 31, 2008

News Release

Mardi Gras SurPrize Patrol is Back

Fat Tuesday is not until next week, but Tyler ISD Foundation is celebrating Mardi Gras by handing out some huge checks to classroom teachers.

The Tyler ISD Foundation Board of Directors along with Junior League Volunteers will board a school bus and make surprise visits to district campuses Friday, February 1^st. The bus will depart at 9 a.m. from the Tyler ISD Administration building located at 1319 New Sunnybrook Drive, Tyler.  The purpose of this festive celebration is to provide over $22,000 in grants to teachers throughout the District.

“The Tyler ISD Foundation is able to make these grants possible through donations to the I Love Tyler ISD Campaign, a large grant from the Junior League, and a second grant from an anonymous donor,” said Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Larry Goddard.

In December, teachers and staff of Tyler ISD were asked to submit 2 ½ page proposals for projects they would like to administer in their classrooms for the spring semester. A committee of community members evaluated the proposals and decided to award 14 grants from a pool of 40 applications. Donations from the community and the Junior League of Tyler create the funding for the grants. No tax dollars are expended by the Foundation.

“The grant committee had a tough time narrowing down all the grants because they all were well written and well thought out,” said Grant Committee Chair, Chris Jones. “We are really lucky to have teachers in this community who take the time to write these grants for the betterment of the students.”

“This is the 17^th year that classroom and campus grants have been made by the Foundation,” explained Goddard.  “This is only one component of the many projects the Foundation does in support of the District.

The Foundation has been supporting district-wide programs in student safety, emerging technology, and student success. 

“We also sponsor events for student and teacher recognition,”  explained Goddard.

The Tyler ISD Foundation was created in 1990 to support the District.

Details of the grants will be released to the public next week.

Three of the grants are named for honorees:

          Bonnie Beall Grant (donated by Tab Beall);

          East Texas Professional Credit Union Grant (Chris Jones, Branch President)

          Glenna Jo Price Memorial (donated by Kayla Price of Sulphur Springs, Texas)

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