Posted 11:11 pm Monday, December 17, 2012
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Grants helping bring technology to classrooms
Staff Reports
Teaching grants awarded this week will put almost $10,000 worth of technology into the hands of Lindale ISD high and middle school students.
Directors of the Lindale ISD Education Foundation made their way to four campuses Tuesday morning awarding grants and surprising staff members with the LISD Honor Roll Award, according to a release from the district.
"It was such a joy to surprise both the grant recipients and the Honor Roll members on the same day," LISD Education Foundation Executive Director Maya Bethany said in the release. "We were greeted with shock and tears of joy. We are so happy to support the LISD not only through financial contributions but through recognition programs as well."
Eleven science teachers at Lindale High School were awarded a total of $5,000 in grants as part of the All in Learning Funds.
The money will be used to purchase iPads and software that will allow teachers to immediately respond to missed questions on tests and quizzes, according to the release.
Students will take the tests on a laminated, reusable Scantron. Teachers will be able to take a picture of the Scantron using the iPad, and information on missed questions will be immediately accessible to both the teacher and student.
Grants will also be used to purchase iPads to benefit sixth-grade science students at E.J. Moss Intermediate School.
The program iThink Science will enable students to use the iPads for science applications to research and design plans to manage energy resources in their school and community, design models illustrating velocity and overall science enrichment, the release states. Funds for the project totaled $4,788.
Funding for the grants was provided by Lindale's Red Baron Companies, the release states. Jerry Alexander, owner of Red Baron Companies, joined foundation directors for the special grant presentations.
The donated funds were awarded in addition to the foundation's normal grant cycle that provides grants for innovative projects during the spring semester of each school year. Grant applications for the Red Baron Companies' funds were submitted over a two-week period.
"We appreciate, more than words could adequately express, receiving the generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alexander and the LISD Education Foundation," Jan Hancock, science teachers at E.J. Moss Intermediate school said in the release. "The iPads will provide the students with unlimited opportunities in science. Science is continually changing with discoveries and explorations, and the iPads will give the students access to real-time science information and interactive activities. We are truly grateful to everyone that made this possible for our students."
The Lindale ISD Education Foundation also surprised staff members by presenting them with the LISD Honor Roll Award, which was created by the foundation to recognize outstanding staff members who often do not receive praise for their efforts. The honorees are nominated by other staff members, the release states. Those selected for the award go above and beyond their day-to-day job descriptions to support the district and provide a safe and effective learning environment for students.
Each recipient was presented with a framed certificate and balloon bouquet, and they also will be recognized at the Lindale ISD Education Foundation's Academic Excellence Banquet in May, the releases states.
This was the third year for the foundation to recognize staff members with the award.
Lindale High School teachers who received the grant funds were: Audrey Klein, Duane Walton, Mary Kelm, Jason Lawless, Kim Saunders, Robert Klein, Scott Albritton, Mandy Luster, Beau Vincent, Derrick Rogers and Rene Greenhill.
Science teachers Jennifer Browning and Jan Hancock were awarded the grant at E.J. Moss Intermediate School.
Members of the Fall 2012 Honor Roll are: Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Penni Jordan, Lindale Junior High School Inclusion Aide Linda Fancher, Velma Penny Elementary School Principal Monica Moore, Velma Penny Elementary School Custodian Vanya Leija, Lindale ISD Director of Special Programs Peggy Alexander, and E.J. Moss Intermediate School sixth-grade teacher Dianne Burnett.
