Navasota Education Foundation distributes grants across district

The Navasota ISD Education Foundation distributed $64,625.44 in grant money across the district Thursday, Nov. 21.

Teachers and students welcomed the disruption to their daily activities as NEF members stormed the classrooms whooping and hollering with music blaring and larger than life checks in hand.

Each year teachers apply for grants that benefit the school and their classroom through education. Those grants are read through anonymously and then voted upon by foundation members.

Grants distributed this year include a district wide grant for all elementary students entitled “Rattlers Read One.” Each elementary student at John C. Webb Elementary, Brule Elementary and High Point Elementary will receive a Humphry book, “The World According to Humphry” and Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick will engage with the students by reading the book to them online. The students will also participate in daily trivia questions and other activities to encourage daily reading at home. The books are anticipated to be distributed to students in the spring. That grant was valued at $10,062.00 and was submitted by Beth Klammer.

Junior high teachers Sarah Prince and Derrick Morrissey received the grant with the highest dollar value. The campus wide grant “Eighth Grade Hybrid Blended Learning Environment” will give the students access to 60 Chromebooks, headphones and LanSchool Air software. Students will use Chromebooks to supplement classroom activities as well as implement new lesson delivery and intervention procedure. Students will be provided with experience with technology that focuses on content, creation and learning. The grant is valued at $16,169.40.

Teacher grants

distributed

Enrichment Through Musical Theatre: ($4,946.50) submitted by Rhonda Lane and Andrea Day- will fund Jungle Book theater performance; Empowering Students Through Technology: ($4,702.50) submitted by Rita Fernandez and Danny Lemke- will provide 15 Chromebooks and cart. Learning Words in a Snap: ($1,979.00) submitted by Lauren Julian and Kelli Lara- will provide learning through cards for children to help with reading. Building Bookworms: ($4,965.00) submitted by Lauren Julian and Cassie Russell- will fund a book vending machine where students can purchase books through academic accomplishment and good character.

Chromebooks for Success: ($4,950.00) submitted by Haylee Brewer and Cassie Johnson- will fund Chromebooks for 6th grade math class; Making Social Studies a Virtual Experience: ($4,950.00) submitted by Caitlin Baumgarten, Cullen McCloud, Lonza Feldhans, Kevin Murillo, Wesley Haynie, Isaiah Thompson- will fund Chromebooks for students to grow as readers, writers and learners. Making Audrey II: ($1,960.00) submitted by Stephanie Fitzsimon and Trey Shonkwilerwill fund puppet plants of different sizes for students to experience costume design, lighting design, sounds design and set construction. Principles of AV Tech Upgrade: ($4,994.53) submitted by Erica Garcia, Homer Leal and Frank Perez- will fund photography and video equipment to help prepare media students for a possible career in the AV/Photo Field. Cinematic Camera Tools: ($4,999.80) submitted by Erica Garcia, Homer Leal and Frank Perez- will fund media students Professional Grade AV Equipment that will enable them to graduate with knowledge of the audio visual career.

Navasota ISD Education Foundation uses money raised and donations from local people and businesses to make dreams come true for teachers and their students. The foundation also distributes mini-grants throughout the year to fund various needs.

To view more photos of grant distributions visit navasotaexaminer.com.