Grants
Educational Grants 2011
In addition to the thirteen scholarships awarded in 2011, the Bent Tree Foundation awarded five grants to teachers in local Pickens County schools.
Kelly Howell, a teacher at Jasper Elementary, was awarded $500 to purchase novels and thematic units on scientific topics which will benefit approximately 100 third-grade students. Jasper Elementary teacher, Kaye Hendricks, was awarded $1,100 for math activities designed to develop problem-solving skills and improve the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test scores of 250 students in grades 3 through 5. Mary Perdue from Jasper Middle School was awarded $400 to purchase curriculum-relevant reference materials for 548 students. Debra Schlenke and Seana Thompson from Pickens High School were awarded $1,100 to fund expenses related to student participation in Academic Team Association tournaments. Nancy Teague, a teacher at Tate Elementary, received $500 for science lab equipment that will provide hands-on science experiments for 150 students in grades 4 and 5.
These teachers are to be applauded for dedication to their profession, their students and the promotion of quality education in our schools. Submitted grant requests totaled over $25,000. This first year we were able to only honor a fraction of the requests. We are hopeful that donations will enable us to award far more grants at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Maintaining and improving our schools and the opportunities available to our children comes primarily from the community in which we live. We encourage you to join with the Foundation in supporting our teachers, administrators and school staffs in assisting our young people to reach their greatest potential.
Educational Grants 2012
The Bent Tree Foundation awarded six grants totaling $4,450 for projects submitted by Pickens County teachers during a recent reception held in their honor at Club Tamarack in Bent Tree. These projects will enrich and expand the educational opportunities for the students in our schools.
Bridget Harkins, a teacher at Pickens High School, was awarded $900 toward the purchase of a MimioTeach Interactive System which will provide a positive learning experience for up to 200 students in grades 9 through 12 (special and regular education) per year. This system will convert any whiteboard into an interactive learning board. Students will become part of the lesson by using hands-on technology to direct the lesson and to experience entertaining and exciting learning experiences. Stacia Walker from Harmony Elementary School received $600 toward the purchase of student dictionary/thesaurus bundles for use in studying and developing dictionary and thesaurus skills and to improve English aptitude. This project will affect over 100 second grade students. Jasper Middle School teacher Laurie Taylor was awarded $1,100 for her project affecting over 200 eighth grade students.
The primary goal of her project is to enhance student understanding of forensic science and the justice system while providing applicable elements in all core curriculum areas including math, reading, science, social studies and art. Patricia Barnard, a teacher from Tate Elementary School, received $350 for a project in which 60 fourth grade students will be directly engaged in learning blocks in a cross-curricular approach where curriculum standards are taught through relevant, high-interest and integrated curriculum rather than isolated subjects. Harmony Elementary School Teacher Renee Carder received $1,100 for her project focusing on fourth grade reading. This project will involve a FrontRow ToGo sound system which will increase student attention and perception. At a previous school, Ms. Carder experienced the positive effect this system has on student performance and classroom behavior. Over 125 fourth grade students will profit from this project. Jasper Elementary School teacher Paige Turner was awarded $400 for a project entitled S.O.A.R (Save Our American Raptors, Inc.). This project will involve over 550 kindergarten through fifth grade students and will bring S.O.A.R., a non-profit environmental education organization, to Jasper Elementary for three 30-40 minute programs for all grade levels. These teachers are to be applauded for dedication to their profession, their students, and the promotion of quality education in our schools.
The grant program is a major focus of the Bent Tree Foundation due to the large number of students who will benefit from these projects. In this, its second year, the Foundation received over $28,700 in grant requests and was able to award $4,450 to six grant recipients. The Foundation needs your help to continue and to grow this program so that we are able to award more grant requests.
If you would like to speak with someone concerning the Scholarship Grant program, please call 770-893-3428.
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