Spring Branch Education Foundation Announces Fall Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2014
Contact:  Elaine Reeder Mayo, 713.882.2517

Spring Branch Education Foundation Announces Fall Grants
$82,228 Awarded to Projects for SBISD students

At its November Board meeting, Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) approved $82,228 in grants to fund diverse education-enhancing projects throughout Spring Branch Independent School District.

Twice each year, the Foundation calls for grant applications, up to $5,000 each, from any of its 46 school campuses. District-wide projects are eligible for larger grants. Both faculty members and volunteers are encouraged to apply.

“Through these grants, the Education Foundation provides students and staff with opportunities for innovative projects,” said Donnie Roseman, a member of the SBEF Board of Directors and chair of the Program and Assessment Committee. “Donations to the Foundation and fund-raisers make these grants possible.”

On a district-wide level, the Foundation awarded $6,000 to the Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs to underwrite scholarships for SBISD college-bound students. A grant of $9,500 will subsidize an Operation Graduation Post-Secondary Success Facilitator who will guide students at risk of not graduating. The Early Childhood department received a grant of $5,000 to fund instruction for kindergarten teachers at Spring Shadows, Hollibrook and Edgewood Elementary Schools to focus on early reading behaviors.

The balance of the money was designated for projects on SBISD campuses:

• Bendwood Elementary – SPIRAL Gifted and Talented students will build and program functional robots.
• Hollibrook Elementary – Students, K-5, will benefit from portable labs for hands-on science exploration.
• Hunters Creek Elementary – Students will learn good citizenship as they maintain several campus gardens and a school-wide recycling program.
• Landrum Middle and Northbrook Middle – Graphing calculators, available to 7th and 8th graders, will help students master higher math reasoning tasks.
• The Lion Lane School – Toddler siblings and parents will be invited to the school for a young reader program; they will receive books to begin a home library.
• Memorial High – Language Arts III students will use iPads and apps for advance placement and college-level coursework.
• The Panda Path School – Staff development for Pre-K teachers will focus on science activities involving water, structures and young naturalist projects.
• Pine Shadows Elementary – An action-based learning lab will support physical and academic growth for K-2 students.
• Rummel Creek Elementary – iPads and appropriate apps will be used in the music classroom to teach creative techniques.
• Sherwood Elementary – The art classroom will receive a drying rack for art projects.
• Spring Forest Middle – A multi-sensory lab will provide Life Skills students with stations and activities to help improve motor and social functioning.
• Stratford High – This grant will help defray the expense of providing each student with an academic planner.
• Westwood Elementary – Netbooks will be available to third graders for research and project-based learning.

“We encourage PTAs, principals and teachers to apply for these grants,” says Cece Thompson, SBEF executive director. “Our next call for grants is February 2015, and the recipients will be announced in May.”

Community members who wish to support a specific program at a designated campus can make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation and earmark it for that school. Call 713.251.2381 or visit sbef@springbranchisd.com for more information.

About Spring Branch Education Foundation
Spring Branch Education Foundation is committed to supporting SBISD students and educators. It partners with the district and community to fund programs that enhance education and prepare students for the future. Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $8 million and received the Houston Business Promise Award from the Greater Houston Partnership.

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