During its Fall Grant Cycle, Newton Education Foundation made awards totaling over $30,000 to fund 14 innovative projects that will enhance education for students across Newton County Schools.
Ten of the grants were funded through donations from the community to our All in for Kids Campaign. An additional four grants to install school gardens were funded by a USDA grant that was awarded to Newton Education Foundation in July.
Quizbowl Buzzer: Awarded $500
Braxton Buff, Newton High School
This grant, for the purchase of a Quizbowl Buzzer, will allow participating students to better prepare for Quizbowl competition across the state.
Sensory Class: Awarded $1,200
Amanda Osborn, Oak Hill Elementary
For some students, movement is integral to focus and learning. This grant will create a learner-friendly environment that will help students be successful in the classroom.
Makerspace: Awarded $2,000
Jennifer Cole, Porterdale Elementary
This grant will fund supplies for a dynamic Makerspace at Porterdale Elementary School. Students from each grade level will be designing and creating their own project throughout the school year.
Digital Microscopes: Awarded $2,500
Kerrie Carlile, Newton High School
This grant will fund the purchase of digital microscopes for the Science Department at Newton High School. The microscopes will enhance the analysis students do across the sciences.
Graphing Calculators: Awarded $2,800
Maggie Johnston, Eastside High School
Funds will purchase two classroom sets of TI-84 graphing calculators for use in Math courses at Eastside High. This will provide equity in the classroom since not all students can afford to purchase these costly but essential calculators.
T-shirt Making Business: Awarded $2,000
Shalom Carter, Clements Middle School
This grant will fund an entrepreneurial venture for students at Clements Middle School who will design, create, market and sell t-shirts. This project will help students develop business skills, collaboration skills and foster their creativity.
IPads for Literacy: Awarded $2,000
Shelsey Reed and Kelly Byrd, RISE Academy
This grant will help purchase IPads for students at RISE Academy who will be using them to enhance literacy skills and prepare each student for life beyond high school.
Book Vending Machine: Awarded $2,000
Andrea Dowdy, Oak Hill Elementary
These funds will help Oak Hill Elementary purchase a book vending machine. Each student will receive tokens for positive behavior and use those tokens to purchase a book of their choice from the vending machine, promoting literacy and an interest in reading.
Wacom Tablets: Awarded $2,000
Jasmine El-Jourbagy, Newton College and Career Academy
This grant will fund the purchase of Wacom Tablets. The tablets will allow students to animate their work and enhance their skills in animation and design.
Red Fern Reading: Awarded $780
Meghen Bassel, East Newton Elementary School
This grant will fund the purchase a copy of the book The Red Fern Grows for each 4th grade student to participate in a book study. The students will get a visit from a dog breeder, which will allow for deeper learning on some of the book’s themes.
Garden Grants were awarded to the following teachers/schools:
School Orchard: Awarded $1,500
Catrina Pollard, Eastside High School
The grant will fund the purchase of fruit trees for a school orchard. Students will learn how to care for the trees and sustainable agricultural practices.
Pollinator Garden: Awarded $3,000
Jennifer Pole, Porterdale Elementary
This grant will fund a pollinator garden and will involve students from the Newton College and Career Academy as well as a local church that is a school partner.
Flower Garden: Awarded $3,000
Heidi Grady, South Salem Elementary School
Six Kindergarten classes will participate in creating a flower garden that will attract ladybugs and butterflies.
Year-Round Garden Project: Awarded $3,000
Christy Williams, Clements Middle School
Funds will start a school garden to demonstrate agricultural principles to students. Through observation and cultivation, students will learn how to grow vegetables and care for plants throughout the year.