The Newton Foundation for Educational Excellence is pleased to announce the recipients of the Foundation’s Spring Classroom Grants for 2015-2016.  All Newton County School System teachers are eligible to apply for the grants, which can be used to pay for a wide variety of innovative instructional projects and materials.

“Again this year, the grant subcommittee was absolutely blown away by the scope and quality of the grant requests,” said Dr. Jami Berry, board chair for the Education Foundation.  “The Foundation is especially thrilled to be able to fund these three grants because they utilize technology in new and unique ways that will undoubtedly enhance the curriculum for years to come.  The funded requests are excellent examples of the innovation of our educators on behalf of the students of the Newton County School System.”

The Foundation awarded just over $5,500 in grants to the following teachers and projects:

Sabrina Grant—West Newton Elementary School
Grant Amount: $1,881
Project: Learning Station Fun with OSMO
Description of Project: 19 OSMO systems will attach to existing school iPads to enhance math and language arts in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. Because Ms. Grant was able to purchase the Osmo systems at a bulk rate, she will be able to buy 24 instead of 19.

Heather Hodge—Middle Ridge Elementary School
Grant Amount: $1,775
Project: Integrating 3D Launch
Description of Project: A 3D printer will create a prototype catapult with which 4th grade students will study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Elizabeth Gregory—Newton College & Career Academy
Grant Amount: $1,913
Project: College Admissions–Using technology to close the college access gap
Description of Project: 7 IPad Minis will facilitate college/career exploration and expedite the college application process under the guidance of the counseling department. Funding cost for the IPad minis and supporting apps is $1913.

“I congratulate each of the teachers who were awarded grants from the Newton Education Foundation,” said Newton County School Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey. “The fact that they took the time to research and develop a proposal and then write a grant request is indicative of their dedication and commitment to their students. They have gone above and beyond to enhance the learning experience of their students and for that I am immensely proud. I look forward to seeing their projects come to life!”

Fuhrey added, “I also want to thank the Newton Education Foundation for funding these grant requests. The members of our Education Foundation are volunteers who are truly committed to our school system. Since the Foundation was established, they have financially supported our teachers with thousands of dollars in grants for projects that have enhanced the learning experiences of our students. We are fortunate to have the Newton Education Foundation and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

The Newton Education Foundation is a local, independent, non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation founded in 2009 to create a culture of support for public education in Newton County.  The goal of the Foundation is simple—to raise private dollars for public education.  If you would like to support the Newton Education Foundation by making a tax-deductible donation, you can mail it to: Newton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1586, Covington, Georgia 30015.