OCTOBER 15, 2009 ISSUE
Watauga Education Foundation Awards $20,000 to Local Instructors
Watauga Education Foundation (WEF) volunteers are again partnering with innovative teachers in Watauga County to benefit local students. Through WEF’s annual Grant Initiative, 20-plus instructors from Watauga County Public Schools will receive $20,000 to raise the teaching bar.
“We had 29 applications,” said WEF Allocations Chair Emily Greene. “The winners were chosen based upon a points system that takes into account student need, objectives, number of students receiving the service and of most importance, creativity and innovation.”
The projects this year range from Bring a Veteran to School Day at Parkway Elementary, to a volunteer run Science Club at Valle Crucis Elementary.
“Teaching our children lessons outside preparation for the End of Grade Test is critical,” said Watauga Education Foundation President Jay Fenwick. “We look for initiatives that either go beyond the basics, or significantly enhance the curriculum.”
Kindergarteners at Mabel will have a new Soft Rug on which to read.
At Blowing Rock, eighth grade instructor Wendy Smith will enhance her chemistry lessons. “My hope that as a result of this unit, students will develop an interest in and understand the relationships among the different branches of chemistry,” Smith said. “Specifically they will learn that their own well being and the well being of our planet depends on their understanding of the properties of matter and how matter interacts,” she added.
At Bethel, the seventh and eighth graders will learn robotics, and at Green Valley the students will have IPods and e-books to improve literacy. “The target group for this project will be students who are struggling readers,” said Green Valley Principal Phillip Griffin. “They will not be the only students allowed to check out the I-Pods. All students at all levels can benefit from having exemplary reading modeled to them.”
At Hardin Park, third graders will benefit from math storybooks, and first graders will receive new plant and animal science kits. Cove Creek students will incorporate literature with art.
“Perhaps the most unusual grant this year is for Leapin’ Lagomorphs!” said Greene. “We are purchasing show stock for the animal and agri-science classes. They’ll be breeding pedigreed Mini Rex Rabbits. Now, that is definitely creative!”
The grants, which must be used during the 2009-10 school year, also again include funding for a Battle of the Books competition at every grade school.
“We are able to make these grants because of local contributions from individuals and businesses. This year more than ever we need the community to give what they can,” said Fenwick. “School budgets were cut significantly. Our schools lost 50 positions and supplies and equipment allocations have been seriously slashed. The Watauga Education Foundation doesn’t fund state and local budgets, but we can, and do create bright spots for students and teachers.” Donations are tax-deductible.
The Watauga Education Foundation has been raising funds for Watauga County Schools since 1989. The organization has distributed more than $1 million to local schools. WEF also accepts donations for the Kate Swift Reese Endowed Scholarship, which will provide an annual college scholarship to a deserving Watauga County student.
Contributions can be made online by clicking to www.wefnc.org. Families can also contribute by attending one of the Watauga Education Foundation’s upcoming fundraisers. The annual Flapjack Flip, a pancake breakfast and raffle at Watauga High School, takes place on December 12, and the juried talent program, Shooting Stars, will again be held at Farthing Auditorium on April 16, 2010. To find out how to get involved and make a difference in a student’s life, contact WEF Executive Director Melanie Bullard at 828-268-1273 or executivedirector@wefnc.org.
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