The Pleasanton ISD Education Foundation presented the 2019 teacher and campus grants to teachers across the district this past Friday. The Foundation surprised the teachers and students with the drumline, a few cheerleaders, Big E, community members and foundations members as they presented the checks. The Pleasanton ISD Education Foundation was able to give away a total of $16,166.90 in teacher a..nd campus grants.
This year, six grants were presented to campuses and teachers across the district. At the Primary, the Pre-K teachers including Rachelle Campos, Veronica Carrillo, Amy Chapa, Ruth Conroy, Luke Huth, Abigale Parker, Kara Persyn, Jessica Rankin- Schimelpfening and Kimberly Salazar received the Outdoor Learning Grant that focuses on socialemotional development, literacy, mathematics and science. This grant is worth $2,908.70 and will assist 180+ students.
The Elementary received the Sensory Play and Pathways Campus Grant worth $3,210 and will impact 1,022 kids. This grant was sponsored by Pursch Motors and focuses on recess and social-emotional learning. The grant will include the addition of sensory pathways of play and large checker boards to the bus loop playground and P.E. slab, and it will provide students an opportunity to interact through inclusive activities regardless of their responsivity skills.
Pleasanton Junior High teacher Dawna Garvin, a 6-7th grade STEM teacher, received the Imagination Soar with Finch Robots Teacher Grant worth $1,485 which will impact 120 students. Garvin states, “This Foundation Grant will allow my STEM students to learn the ba- sics of computer programming in an exciting and relevant format. Students will gain expertise in robotics and an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses they bring when carrying out a prescribed task.”
Junior High 8th Grade Science teacher, Megan Berdecio, received the Bringing Elements to Life Grant worth $5,000 and will impact 250 students. This grant was sponsored by Alpha Machine who contributed $3,500 to the funding of the grant, and The PISD Education Foundation contributed $1,500. This grant will allow for the elements on the periodic table to be brought to life in a digitalized form with the use of iPads. The students will see the true elements and see them change to compounds. Berdecio states, “One of the biggest benefits of this grant is that by increasing the love of Chemistry in our students, and exploring careers in the oil and gas sector related to this science, it may prepare our graduates to meet the needs of the local oil industry companies needing qualified workers.”
High School Ag teacher, Lauri Kelley, received the Students Leading Students grant worth $2,095 that will focus on Special Education and Agriculture. This grant will create a new program that allows for the special education and life skills students to complete a Floral Design course with the assistance of a general education student who already mastered the course.
High School Art teachers Sharon Kotzur, Heather Arnold and Carmen Harris received the Be There or Be Square: A Window to My Soul Teacher Grant worth $1,468.92 sponsored by Pursch Motors. This grant will impact 400 students and will help students prepare for the 3rd Annual PHS Art Show focusing on Art and Photography.
In regards to these grants, Dr. Mann, Superintendent of Pleasanton ISD, states, “The Pleasanton Education Foundation has been a tremendous asset to our campuses. They continue to provide additional funds to augment our academic programs that our teachers want to implement. We feel that this partnership has truly been a blessing, and we are always wanting to foster support from our community. This symbiotic relationship is key to a successful school district and prospering community.”
President of the Pleasanton Education Foundation, Heather Foster, states “PISD students lead the way as each grant recipent is notified of the resources that have been made available by community partners of the Foundation. Since 2014, the Pleasanton ISD Education Foundation has made it a priority to recognize the academic goals of students, educators and administrators in the district.”
If you are looking to contribute to the foundation, the next fundraiser will be the 7th Annual School’s Out for Summer Golf Tournament on Friday, June 5, 2020, at the Pleasanton Country Club, or you can mail a donation to PISD Education Foundation at 831 Stadium Dr. Pleasanton, Texas 78064. If you would like to become members of the PISD Education Foundation, visit the Pleasanton ISD Education Foundation Facebook Page, send them a message and a board member will contact you with details on how to join.
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