First Foundation Grants Awarded

Photo and story courtesy of The Metter Advertiser

Education Foundation Chair Nancy Norton (r) presents a check for $5,506 to (l-r) Metter High teacher Donna VanSickle; Metter High/Middle band director Brent Walden; Metter Elementary Counselor Tammie Lanier and Metter Intermediate teacher Patricia Walden.

February 22, 2007 - The first financial awards were presented to local teachers from the Candler County Public Education Foundation last week, following a massive fund-raising campaign that, to date, has raised over $65,000. More than $5500 was presented to four teachers on Thursday.

Among the first grant recipients was Tammy Lanier, counselor of Metter Elementary School. Lanier had requested funding for 20 MES students traveling to Atlanta for their first MathFest Competition on March 3. The trip was to become an unexpected overnight stay, and students were also going to be given an opportunity to visit World of Coke.

At Metter Intermediate School, the fifth-grade teachers received funding for an LDC projector to use in a standards-based classroom. “Teachers will plan lessons that will enrich academic performance through a multimedia approach,” explained instructor Patricia Walden in the grant application. “Boundaries in the classroom are unlimited via the use of this multimedia tool."

To tie in the importance of reading for students in math courses, Donna VanSickle of Metter High School was awarded funds to purchase math-based novels to be read as classroom assignments. The benefits, VanSickle explained in her grant application, are that “students will see math as more than just working problems."

Metter High and Middle School Band Director Brent Walden was awarded funding for the purchase of a new tuba to be used in band classes. Having musical equipment available for the students, Walden explained, will promote the students’ self-confidence through mastery of musical concepts and successful community performances.

The Foundation provides funds to give local teachers an opportunity to provide “enhanced” learning opportunities for students. These funds are applied for additional classroom materials that cannot be funded through state and federal monies or for enrichment opportunities for clubs, groups or individual students in the fields of music, the arts and core subject areas.

The Foundation oversees funds for an account that is earmarked solely for programs and activities that stimulate and accelerate learning.

"This is a functional approach to securing money for opportunities for children to have enriching experiences,” explained Dr. Tom Bigwood, superintendent of schools. "It will largely deal with opportunities for children in the areas of scholastics and fine arts, since the athletic side here is pretty well funded and supported through the Athletic Boosters."

New experiences that could be offered to local students through the Education Foundation include math team, debate team and drama competitions, fine arts scholarships, special publications and projects and summer enrichment programs.