Early May signals the time of year to announce the recipients of the 2017-2018 Rotary/PEF/Love Foundation Classroom Enrichment Grants. This year 26 grants totaling $25,186.00 have been awarded to more than 20 public schools in Vanderburgh County for projects that will take place in the 2017-2018 school year. A complete list of the grants with brief descriptions is available at https://www.pefevansville.org/grants/grants.php .
These grants are awarded to original programs/projects created by teachers. They demonstrate long-term educational benefits as well as promote important values to students.
In May of 2016, 22 Rotary/PEF/Love Foundation grants were awarded for projects that have taken place during the 2016-2017 school year. These funds have provided science supplies, robotic arms, learning with Lego’s, stability ball chairs, and more!
EVSC Virtual Academy teacher Jo Burns, a 2016 grant recipient, said, “her students have used this grant within the grade levels and across the grade levels and collaborated to design, create, and build original machines and robots utilizing LEGO Mindstorm EV3 and components. The students investigated and determined how to differentiate to meet their individual needs.â€
Taylor Gray from Glenwood Leadership Academy said her 2016 grant allowed her to “be able to provide students with ADHD and ADD stability balls and some new chairs to help them stay focused. It allows them to get their “wiggles out†without distracting the class. These different seats are considered active seating.â€
PEF and the Rotary Club began a partnership in 1987 with the help of Rotarian and PEF Board member Calvin Dentino. In 2004, the Love Foundation joined the partnership and the trio has given more than $650,000 to nearly 900 classroom grants in the past 31 years.
About PEF
The Public Education Foundation is an independent not-for-profit agency that provides direct
funding to local public schools and teachers for innovative, student-centered programs. For more than 30 years the PEF Board of Directors has provided thousands of students with professional-level, hands-on experience via direct support for its signature projects such as the House Project, Summer Musical, Young Children’s Theatre and academic team competitions. Last school year, PEF provided more than $450,000 in program support, and direct teacher grants and student scholarships.
The mission of the Public Education of Evansville, Inc. (PEF) is inspiring and cultivating innovative education for all students. PEF Board, supporters and staff believe that high quality public education is fundamental to the strength of our community; and that all students deserve the best possible public education in order to realize their full potential.
Follow PEF on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Education-Foundation-of-Evansville-Inc/), Twitter (PEFEVV), and at www.pefevansville.org
