Foundation For Orange County Public Schools Awards Nearly $210,000 To Local Teachers For Creative Classroom Learning Initiatives

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 30, 2008) – New books, lab equipment, computer software and more is on the way to local classrooms, thanks to nearly $210,000 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 353 teachers to provide foreverything fromsupplies and equipment forclassroom learning enhancement, to collaborative teacher classroom initiatives, to specific equipment and materials focused on math and science enrichment.

In all, 239 grant proposals submitted by teachers were funded.The grants are underwritten by Darden Restaurants Foundation (for classroom enhancement equipment and supplies, as well as creative classroom projects); Citi (for veteran-to-beginning teacher collaborative classroom learning projects); Progress Energy (for equipment and materials that support learning in math and science); Universal Orlando Foundation (for instructional projects that address the special needs of our youngest K-2 learners) and The Bond Foundation (for science supplies and equipment in select West Orange Middle Schools).In addition, through its Read2Succeed Program, the Foundation provided grants to teachers for literacy projects. Clickhere forthe 2008-2009 Teacher Grant Awards Program.

“Our core mission is to enhance student achievement and promote innovative teaching, and through the support of our community partners we are able to make a meaningful contribution 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, especially during this challenging economic and budget-cut year.”According to Evans, since the grant programs began in 1996, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.48 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.

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

• Kits to test water and dirt qualities and supplies to assist with plant relocation.This project will include a trash clean up of the wetlands area of Cherokee School.
• Mini MP3 players and cassette converter to update and expand the listening library at Dommerich Elementary School.
• Hands-on activity supplies for the manipulation of words and letters to ensure reading and writing success for kindergartners at Rolling Hills Elementary School.
• Supplies and equipment that incorporates 3^rd grade math learning with physical activity at Whispering Oaks Elementary School.
• Teacher collaboration projects at Clay Springs Elementary School, including a reader’s theater involving 2^nd and 5^th grade students.