BY DON JOHNSON

The season of giving started early at Terrell ISD as the TISD Excellence Foundation this week announcing its first round of grants for the 2011-12 school year.

“The Excellence Foundation received 20 grant applications this year, including two from students and 18 from staff,” said the foundation’s district liaison, Dana Skelton. “The applications this term have been the best in the three-year history of the foundation, with many good ideas for projects. They were well written and competition was very strong.”

Eight grants were funded in this round with a total value of $41,650. A clear emphasis of this year’s grants was on career and technical education, with $29,276 in grants.

The largest single grant, $21,366 requested by teacher Erin Smith, will fund equipment purchases for the new welding shop in the renovated Career and Technical Education building at the Terrell High School campus.

 Erin Smith

A $6,328 grant will boost CTE programs in earlier grades, funding supplies, computers, entry fees and support money for robotic teams at the elementary and middle school level. That program has already seen success in its first year, with the Long Elementary robotics team advancing to regional competition.

 Peggy Bridges

Classrooms at Wood Elementary will see technology upgrades with funding of a $5,323 grant requested by teacher Christine Grazioli. The money will be used to purchase document camera and digital projector equipment to give teachers more flexibility in presenting information to students both from printed and digital sources.

 Christine Grazioli

Three of the foundation’s grants will impact students at Furlough Middle School. Librarian Elizabeth O’Neal is hoping to bring more interest and comprehension of math and science concepts through the use of graphic novels. The books feature comic-book style illustration and plots to present information in a more engaging format for the target age group.

Elizebeth O'Neal

Also at the middle school campus, $1,200 will be used to host a “Family Math Night” event, and a $1,582 grant will go toward a program partnering with local businesses to give CTE students a more in depth look at possible career paths.

 Shellie Massengale

 Cheryl Pettijohn

Two received grants to participate in conferences in other parts of the country. Omayra Mata attended a National Youth Leadership Forum on student success at Duke University.

 Omyra Mata

Brett Morgan will attend a similar event focusing on security and law enforcement issues in Washington D.C.

 Brett Morgan

This year’s grants bring the TISD Excellence Foundation giving total to $197,950 over the last three years. “The foundation’s grant review committee and board of trustees has expressed their appreciation to all who applied,” Skelton said. “The next application deadline for grants will be March 1.” The TISD Excellence Foundation provides funding for programs and projects that fall outside the scope or budget of the school district. For more information about the foundation, donations, or the grant application process, visit the foundation’s website, www.terrellexcellencefoundation.org.

 

 

 
 Application Deadlines

First Tuesday in October

(for Winter/Spring).

 

First Tuesday in March

(for Summer/Fall).

For Instructions and Applications click here


2009 Grant Recipients

2010 Grant Recipients


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