Foundation Awards Over $21,500 to Teachers and Campuses

The Flour Bluff ISD Foundation for Educational Excellence, Inc. surprised six teachers and three campuses at Flour Bluff ISD on November 7, 2005 when they awarded more than $21,500 in teacher and campus grants. “They were so surprised to see us walk into their classrooms with balloons and big checks, said Lacy Harrelson, foundation board member. It was so rewarding to be able to grant these teachers their money for the innovative projects they have planned.”

This foundation is in its first year of operation and has raised over $60,000 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 excited and appreciative to have the foundation. This great group of community leaders has worked extremely hard in their fundraising efforts to allow teachers opportunities to seek additional equipment and curriculum initiatives not funded in the district budget,” said Dr. Julie Carbajal, Superintendent.

Campus grants were awarded to: FBISD Elementary Librarians in the amount of $2,000 to bring in guest authors; Flour Bluff Elementary School was awarded $4,000 to purchase additional books for the Literacy Collaborative Program; and Flour Bluff Intermediate was awarded $4,500 to purchase math lab equipment for virtual technology enrichment.  Teacher grants were awarded to: Kim Skinner, third grade teacher in the amount of $1,368 for a school club designed to challenge kids to develop critical and creative thinking skills; Brenda Killen, a 7th grade science teacher was awarded two grants, $1,080 for a Xplorer GLX Logger lab tool and $1,185 for a Science Olympiad Club. FBHS Theater Arts teacher Pam Pailes was awarded $3,000 to purchase a UIL set design;  FBHS science teacher Carrie Burns was awarded $1,430 for aquatic science Katy research vessel field trip; and the FBHS Science Department was awarded $3,000 to purchase chemistry lab equipment.