Foundation For Orange County Public Schools Awards Over $160,000 To Local Teachers For Creative Classroom Learning Initiatives

ORLANDO, Fla. (November 5, 2009) – New books, lab equipment, computer software and more is on the way to local classrooms, thanks to over $160,000 granted to teachers for learning enhancement endeavors. The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc., which manages a host of grant programs for teachers in the district, has distributed the funds to 334 teachers to provide for everything from supplies and equipment for classroom learning enhancement, to collaborative teacher classroom initiatives, to specific equipment and materials focused on math and science enrichment.

Thanks to the generosity of major corporations, foundations, and matching grants, six core grant programs are available to teachers across Orange County Public Schools:

• Progress Energy contributed $50,000 to the Progress Energy Mathematics and Science Grants, which provides equipment and resources to enhance instruction in math, science, and energy sustainability in 6th through 12th grade. Through matching grants the Foundation was able to award $78,873.

• The Darden Restaurant Foundation contributed $30,000 to the Darden Classroom Enhancement Grants, which provides teachers with core learning-enhanced supplies and equipment, such as books, software and lab materials. Through matching grants the Foundation was able to award $55,130.

• Macy’s of Florida contributed $9,855 to offer grants for classroom supplies for students and teachers.

• The Foundation’s own Read2Succed Literacy Grants provides $4,844 to teachers for classroom literacy materials.

• The Bond Foundation contributed $20,000 again this year to the West Orange Middle School Science Grants program, which provides needed classroom equipment and materials to help middle school students in this area excel in science.

• The Universal Orlando Foundation contributed $5,000 for the Universal Orlando Foundation K-2 Readiness Grants program, which provides elementary schools throughout the district extra resources to help in the developmental needs of this age group.

"Through the support of our community partners we are able to make a meaningful contribution to the quality of education our public school students receive," says Craig Evans, executive director of the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools. "These grants directly affect classroom learning and innovation, and the Foundation is pleased to be at the heart of linking resources with learning opportunities." According to Evans, since the grant programs began in 1996, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.64 million to teachers in the district. Portions of those funds have come from matching grants from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, through the State of Florida and the sale of "Support Education" License tags.

A sample of projects and initiatives that were awarded funds this year include:

• A grant project entitled “Trouble on the St. John’s River” – based on a book by the same name – will benefit Dream Lake’s entire 3rd grade team of 140 students. They will write letters to the author, keep a response journal, investigate environmental issues involving Florida’s waterways, and realize that just like the children in the book, they can take action to save the environment.

• Seventh graders at Jackson Middle School will advance in science while working with the equipment provided by grant project “Lego Mindstorms Engineering and Robotics.” Students will learn the concepts of force and motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy transformation and scientific principles through a series of design challenges.

• Physics students at University High School will – with funds provided by an award-winning grant – create windmills to explore alternative energy resources. They will research designs, build the windmills, and collect the data to analyze their impact on energy conservation.

2009-2010 Teacher Grant Awards Results

Contact:
Craig S. Evans, Ed.D.
Executive Director

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
Phone: 407.317.3261
Fax: 407.317.3457
craig.evans@ocps.net
www.foundationforocps.org


About the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools:
Established in 1987, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides resources and programs to the school district. Through innovative programs and projects such as Read2Succeed, Middle School Kids Initiative, Teach-In and teacher grants, the Foundation provides more than $1.5 million annually to area schools to help create a brighter future and ensure a quality education for every student. The organization serves the 10th largest public school system in the nation, supporting more than 174,000 students, approximately 13,000 teachers and 180 schools in the county. The Foundation is also leading a long-term grassroots initiative called Count Me In!, which is a community-driven initiative designed to reconnect our community with our schools and enhance quality education. For more information, visit www.foundationforocps.org or call 407.317.3261.