The Cherokee County Educational Foundation on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 surprised Cherokee County School District teachers and students with a total of $15,000 awarded through its second annual round of competitive IMPACT Grants.
The grants will fund projects ranging from a StoryCorps-inspired media center recording studio to archive a high school community’s oral histories to mobile gardening labs for first- and second-graders to learn about science (and to love vegetables) to equipping an elementary school with a 3D printer so students can see their engineering designs come to life!
Cherokee County Educational Foundation Board Secretary Amanda Arnold said the day of surprise “Prize Patrol”-style grant presentations with oversized checks, balloons, bouquets of flowers and cheering crowds of students is the “highlight of the year” for the Board.
“It’s so inspiring to read the grant applications and realize the creativity and dedication of the teachers in CCSD classrooms… and it’s incredibly fulfilling to make those visions become reality through these grants,” said Ms. Arnold, who represents Credit Union of Georgia on the Board. “We appreciate every donation the Foundation has received, as it allows us to show schools, teachers and students how much the community cares about them.”
The grant application process was open to individual CCSD teachers, paraprofessionals and school staff; teams of CCSD teachers, paraprofessionals and school staff; CCSD administrators; or CCSD department heads.
Through public support, the Foundation offers IMPACT Grants of as much as $2,500 per winning proposal, and on Friday eight grants were awarded; a ninth grant to be awarded later this month will bring the total to $15,000… which is an increase from $10,000 awarded last school year.
A committee made up of Foundation Board members reviewed the applications and selected proposals they determined would best strengthen academics; demonstrate a creative and innovative approach to education; provide meaningful and engaging instruction for students; and have a long-term benefit.
The 2015 IMPACT Grants presented on Friday are:- Avery ESBringing Movement to Math - $2,399.40, Teachers Tori Sinco and Ashley West
- Canton ES STEM AcademyFlash Force 3D Engineering - $1,425, Teachers Daniel Cornn, Emma Griffin and Judy Wright
- Johnston ESWalking Track -- $1,325, Principal Kathleen Chandler and teacher Julie Peppers
- Mill Creek MSPaper & Tape Festival -- $1,880, Teacher Becky Stodola
- River Ridge HSRiver Ridge Recording Studio - $1,900, Media Specialists Keara Rubin and Leslie O’Bryant
- Woodstock ESGardening with First and Second Graders - $802.98, Teacher Debby Pinion
- Oak Grove ES Fine Arts AcademyHomework Help -- $685, Teachers Kristin Guinther and Lisa Reidy
- Clark Creek ES STEM AcademySMArTE Space - $2,500, Media Specialist Madeline Hall
Since 2013, the Foundation has awarded more than $45,000 in grants to CCSD schools, teachers and students.
The Foundation raises funds for these initiatives through sources including its annual “For the Love of Education” T-shirt sale, CCEF Golf Classic Tournament and the inaugural “Celebration of Education” Gala, which will be held on March 14.
Donations to CCEF may be made by mail to P.O. Box 4754, Canton, Ga. 30114. For more information about the Foundation, visit the website at www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (770) 704-4213.
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