Chamber Awards $39,000 for Education Grants

August 27, 2010 - The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce continues to support education as a cornerstone to the economic success and vitality of the Dan River region with its annual education grant program for Pre-K through 12th grade educators.

The Chamber began the education grant program in 1990 when Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's plant manager Ed Steffey saw classroom needs were not being met through traditional funding sources. Steffey partnered with the Chamber and started a golf tournament from which proceeds were earmarked for the teacher grant initiative. Proceeds from the Goodyear Education 5K race also go toward the program which encourages innovative and creative programs that promote collaboration, communication skills, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. "By hosting two fundraising events, Goodyear continues to help support the financial needs within our educational system that are not being met through traditional funding methods," says Goodyear-Danville Plant Manager Tim Noe.

This year, the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) provided an extra $125,000 in funds to expand the program to include educators in Caswell County, North Carolina, and enhance the funding so more teachers can receive more sizeable grants.

"We want to encourage teachers to think out of the box and bring creative education programs into their classrooms," said Clark Casteel, DRF Senior Program Officer. "We believe investments in education will not only promote creativity and reward more teachers during an economic recession, but help strengthen the Dan River Region's position when the economy takes a positive turn."

Grant applications were submitted by a cohort of teachers (two or more) representing an interdisciplinary team, grade level team, across grade level team, or division wide team. There were no minimum nor maximum monetary limits on the education grant awards. Teachers and administrators were encouraged to submit their best, most creative ideas to the Chamber's Grant Selection Committee.

The Chamber's Education Grant Selection Committee reviewed 44 grant proposals and has awarded approximately $39,000 in this grant cycle.

The Chamber, Goodyear, and DRF congratulate the following recipients of the grant program:

"Experimenting with Electricity!"
Laura Snead and Melissa Stallings
Southside Elementary School
Students will investigate and understand how electricity flows through a series and parallel circuit and construct electromagnets.

"Learning Facts with Rhymes 'n' Times"
Lynn Simpson, Wendy Reynolds, Denise Williams
Union Hall Elementary School
Use of multi-sensory program designed to enable students to master multiplication with variety of hands-on activities and art.

"Improving Fluency and Comprehension with Self-Recorded Read Aloud"
Joylette Perry, Janice Tolliver, Jane Willis
Woodberry Hills Elementary School
Student records self while reading to improve reading fluency and comprehension.

"PANS - Physical Activity and
Nutrition for Staff and Students"
Lynn Dillon
W.W. Moore Education Program
Develop wellness through physical activity and nutrition.

"Going Green"
Ramona Booker, Alexis Crews, J'Bria Thompson, Jacob Layne, Jennifer Horne, Master Gardeners
Glenwood Elementary School
Students will sustain a garden and greenhouse.

"Maps Alive"
Cynthia Daniel, Kim Sheldon
Glenwood Elementary School
Students will learn US geography by making relief maps with molds.

"Butterfly Reading Garden"
Channon Loubriel, Rena Hicks, Paula Gaither, Pamela Adams, Alice Showalter
Glenwood Elementary School
Establish an outdoor reading garden to encourage a lifelong love of reading and environmental appreciation.

"Something to CLUCK About!"
Kimberly Sheldon, Elizabeth Walker
Glenwood Elementary School
Students will observe a chicken's life cycle and document it using bar and picture graphs.

"Problem Solving Analysis and Tools"
Cynthia Slayton, Blake Jones, Kim Agnor
E.A. Gibson Middle School
Students will become more fluent in interpreting authentic math problems and assessing necessary information in solving them.

"Enrichment and Technology"
Blake Jones, Judy Cox, Robert Lambert, Cynthia Slayton
E.A. Gibson Middle School
Students will use a manipulative to make a connection with symbolic knowledge. Students will become fluent thinkers and problem solvers.

"Jeopardy in Learning"
Kimberly Agnor, Cynthia Slayton
E.A. Gibson Middle School
Students will use team work to review content and classroom objectives using a game show platform.

"Individualized Instruction via
Podcast"
Daniel Waters, John Henderson
George Washington High School
Students will increase their ability to follow directions and complete technical assignments. Student interns will be provided with assignments that will affect future students.

"GWHS FIRST Robotics
Competition"
Daniel Waters, John Henderson
George Washington High School
Students will enhance team work by working together to build a robot and compete in two regional events.

"It's Interactive Techno Time!"
Sandra Arnn
Forest Hills Elementary School
Students will have access to a document camera which will bring technology and the outside world into the classroom.

"Kindergarten Transition and School/Home Partnership"
Catherine Lassiter
Forest Hills Elementary School
Students will be provided a supply kit including a parent contract designed to develop a partnership between home and school and assist families with the financial burden of initial student supplies.

"Reading….Oh the Places You Can Go"
Amity Griffith, Amy Scott
Tunstall Middle School
Students will be provided novels for required reading with science, civics, and math teachers incorporating lessons and activities enhanced by the novel.

"Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt"
Ava Baines, Kate Wells
Tunstall Middle School
A novel read in language arts will be used to stimulate journal writing and develop reading comprehension.

"Jeopardy in the Classroom"
Tara Mills
Tunstall High School
Project will add a Jeopardy set to apply to more students and to gear learning toward different learning styles.

"InDesign in the Classroom"
Adrian Nester, Mariah Sells
Tunstall High School
Project will upgrade the school newspaper with software capabilities allowing newer text and graphics.

"Ninth Grade Orientation and
Transition Program"
Denise Dallas
Tunstall High School
Project will consist of an Orientation Day for rising freshmen and parents and will also include continued instruction focusing on successful note taking, test taking, and studying.

"Geometric Modeling in the
Classroom"
Cheryl Williams, Patricia Craft, Valerie Dawson, Cindy Shields, Mildred Dearing
Gretna Middle School
Students will use geomodel folding shapes and interactive geoboards activity books to provide visual and hands on activities to help develop geometric concepts.

"RazKids"
Nancy Merricks
Gretna Elementary School
This is a computer based program with on-line books and reading quizzes. Students will read aloud with vocabulary and pronunciation support and/or read with support.

"FISH - Family Involvement Starts Here"
M.J. Hook
South Elementary School
Project will increase parent involvement throughout the child's education.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lynnette Lawson
434.836.6990