February 5, 2010

News Release

TISD Foundation Awards Grants Mardi Gras Style

          The Tyler ISD Foundation is bringing Mardi Gras to Tyler for the fourth time by awarding more than $20,000 in teacher grants to various campuses in the Tyler Independent School District.  Last fall, the Foundation awarded more than $27,000 for a total near $50,000 awarded to teachers, teams of teachers and campuses during this academic year.

          “We are proud of these teachers who were inspired by their students to write these grants,” said Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Foundation.  “These grants are meant to enrich the learning process of our area youth.  Today is about celebrating the teachers who truly understand that concept.”

          The Foundation has given more than $1 million to teachers during its almost 20-year existence.

          “Some major projects in the past have greatly impacted the district as a whole; some impacted one classroom,” said Goddard.  “It is gratifying to see the teachers being honored in front of their students.”

          Chris Jones, chair of the Foundation’s grant committee, said, “We want to thank our three major donors to the Teacher Grant Program:  Bank of America, Junior League of Tyler, Inc., and one donor who wishes to remain anonymous.”

          Foundation directors, volunteers, donors, and Junior League Placement volunteers will take oversized checks to the campuses and surprise the grant recipients Friday with a Mardi Gras theme.

Tyler ISD Foundation Grants Awards Project Descriptions

Spring 2010

1.     “John Tyler Coaches Summertime Camp Initiative for Underprivileged Youth”, John Tyler High School—Sam Padgitt; Rickland Holmes; Dereck Rush, Coaches Staff, $2,500.  The Coaches at JT will host a summer camp for incoming 9^th graders through seniors.  From time to time, there are student/athletes who do not participate because they have a problem paying the $20 fee.  With the Tyler ISD Foundation grant, all participant fees could be waived and new tools could be purchased to help our city’s youth in their quest to remain positively active throughout the summer.  Not to mention, the youth also receive food for their souls as we uplift their spirits through motivational and character building.  We let them know that it is acceptable to “Do the Right Thing!”

2.    “iTouch, iLearn, iSpeak”, John Tyler High School—Amy Langley, Juanita Maxwell, Robin Clemmons, Health Science Technology, $2,060.  With the use of iPod Touches and an application called, “Medical Spanish”, students will learn common medical phrases to assist in communicating with patients and give them an edge when competing for jobs in our community.

3.    “Creative Curriculum with Cardboard and Duct Tape,” Stewart Middle School—Mary McGough and Holly Youngblood, 8^th grade Math and Science, $1,800.  Students will engage in a collaborative project to help them improve in three critically low objectives; the scientific method, measurement and Physics.  Students will build derby cars over a two week period using only duct tape and cardboard.  The project will allow multiple opportunities to measure and perform calculations using at least 3 different geometric figures.  The students will earn their right to compete by completing 25 hours of tutorials in Math and/or Science.  As a result, students will increase their ability to solve problems effectively using Measurement and Physics, increase their confidence, and have fun in a learning environment.

4.    “Grant Central Station Learning Lab”, Robert E. Lee High School—Susan Stubblefield and Chalease Denson, All Areas, $4,960.75.  The Grand Central Station Learning Center is a program that develops students’ skills in academic content areas.  It teaches students how to become independent successful learners by giving them the tools necessary to succeed. 

5.    “Future Einstein’s: Empowering Students through Science and Literacy”, Clarkston—Melody Rucker, 2^nd-5^th grade, $975.  This grant will provide science bags for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms during Cougar Camp enrichment and tutorial hour.  All of these materials included in these bags will serve as an extension to the Science curriculum lessons.  Bags will be divided into three areas of science:  Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science.

6.    “Tell Me a Story the eBook Way!” Bell Elementary—Dr. Keri Hampton, Cathy France, Sandra Jones, K-5^th grade Reading, $1,698.  What better way to incorporate reading, technology and fun at home and at school than by using eBooks.  eBooks allow the students the ability to access books electronically and practice their reading skills in an exciting way!  Whether at school or at home, eBooks is a valuable way to merge reading, learning, fun and technology for kindergarten students through fifth grade students. 

7.    “Run Across the USA without Leaving Home!” Birdwell Elementary—Kathleen Ellis, Bethany Moody, Victor Rodriquez, Ignacia Vargas, Thomas Matteucci, K-5^th grade, $5,000.  Birdwell students will be taking a unique trip, without ever leaving their campus!  The students will be running laps that later will not be converted to miles and posted on a map of the USA.  The students will be running not only to make it across our country, but for their lives.  With childhood obesity as a major health concern, the students’ running will be the best medicine available.

8.    “Lights,Camera, Action! Instructional Videos for Preschool Students”, Dixie Elementary School, Jana McWain, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, $375.  The Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) teacher will create instructional videos for student to watch at home.  The videos will reinforce classroom instruction and extend learning opportunities with activities that students and parents can do together.

9.    “Senior Celebration” Robert E. Lee High School, Lezlie Boyd, Senior Parents, $1,000.  The time of graduation is a milestone in a young person’s life and the Senior Celebration provides a safe environment for celebration and a final farewell from Tyler ISD as the graduates leave Robert E. Lee High School.

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