Foundation Awards Over $22,000 to Teachers and Campuses

The Flour Bluff ISD Foundation for Educational Excellence, Inc. surprised six teachers and two campuses at Flour Bluff ISD on May 15, 2006 when they awarded $22,177 in teacher and campus grants. “It is always such a great pleasure to see the expressions on teachers and students faces when we make these award visits, said Vivi See, foundation vice president. It was so rewarding to be able to grant these teachers their money for the innovative programs.”

This foundation is in its second year of operation and has raised over $70,000 so far. The foundation’s mission is to give money to campuses and teachers by promoting quality education by establishing, supporting and enhancing programs not otherwise funded by the Flour Bluff Independent School District . Teachers write grant proposals detailing their ideas. A foundation committee then determines which ones will be funded. “We are so thrilled and grateful to have the Flour Bluff ISD Foundation for Educational Excellence. This great group of community leaders has worked extremely hard in their fundraising efforts to allow teachers the opportunity to implement curriculum initiatives not otherwise funded by the district budget,” said Dr. Julie Carbajal, Superintendent.

Campus grants were awarded to: FBISD Primary in the amount of $3,836 to purchase age appropriate science supplies to develop a hands-on science curriculum; and Flour bluff High School was awarded $3,850 to purchase royalties and scripts for a musical production that would involve the theater arts and choir departments. Teacher grants were awarded to: Karen Wohlschlegel, fourth grade teacher in the amount of $2,618 to purchase four Center Stage math kits to support small group instruction and hands-on interactive learning centers; Laura Dobbins, elementary math specialist and Crystal Lindsay, fourth grade teacher was awarded $2,000 to purchase a math library to integrate math and literature through small group, whole instruction or centers; Elizabeth Lee, first grade teacher was awarded $2,100 to purchase chess boards and supplies for each classroom. This game improves students math and critical thinking skills; Career & Technology high school teacher Joye Beard was awarded $3,000 to purchase supplies and books to be used during a four week mentoring campus for struggling readers. The high school Ready, Set, Teach students would lead the program; Career & Technology high school teacher Ken Stewart was awarded $2,773 for purchasing a Rascal Robotics set to prepare students for competition The program uses invention to help sharpen mathematical and critical thinking skills.