CEF GIVES $31,000+ IN TEACHING GRANTS;
PLEDGES BILTZ MUSEUM GRANT FOR 5 YEARS

August 22, 2013
Ten groups of teachers got the call to “come on down” Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Corsicana ISD Convocation to accept a grant from the Corsicana Education Foundation (CEF).  CEF awarded $31,602.97 to innovative programs benefitting CISD students.

CEF previously awarded another grant on June 7 to Drane Intermediate for a summer math camp that targeted 100 students.  The “Light Up Math” grant provided an 8-day camp.  Students involved in the camp saw a 74% increase in scores from pre-test to post-test.

The final grant awarded on Thursday, the Dr. Charles and Jane Biltz Museum Grant, will send every 6th grade student from Drane Intermediate to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.  The Biltz’s and CEF have joined together to commit to funding the Biltz Museum grant for the next 5 years.

Other grants awarded:

“Bringing the Elements of Jazz to Corsicana” will provide instruments to create a jazz band for Corsicana High and Collins Middle school students.
Bre Osbourn, Jeff Osbourn and Curtis Oakley
$2,400.00

At Bowie Elementary, “Strengthening the Core of Learning” focuses on building core stability for elementary level students.
Kristen Darby
$459.77

The award-winning Ag Mechanics program at Collins Middle School received a grant for their next project “Math, Science, English, Shop & Careers” which will assist in a specialized lift for disabled veterans.
Larry Acock, Jennifer Sutton, Jennifer Cabano, & Tracey Daniels
$6,500.00

Using nature field guides, binoculars, nets, and other materials to reconnect students with nature, “Nature Nerds” will impact biology and environmental systems at CHS.
Lacey Ogburn, Linda Wells, Greg Hazelwood, Gary Jessie & Robert August
$3,000.00

At Fannin Elementary, “Look Out! Here Comes Treble” will purchase musical instruments and tie music to core subjects.
Cindy McCary
$923.75

Spanish speaking students will be served by new Spanish Literature collections at Drane, Collins and CHS through the “Collection of Spanish Literature” grant.
Rudolph Villareal, Lucy Jones & Ruth Alba
$2,171.89

Carroll Elementary had a waiting list of students last year wanting to join Carroll’s after-school Math Club.  The “Math Club” will continue to serve students interested in math and expand the program.
Molly Corrington
$843.56

Collins Students who enjoy and seek the arts and professional performances may continue to do so through special arrangements and transportation by the Culture Club’s “Crazy for Culture” grant.
Monique Morgan, Denise Goodrich & Ana Gonzalez
$2,500.00

“Oh, I See!” will provide new equipment for photojournalism and deaf education students at Collins Middle School.
Cynthia Garcia & Kristin Haden
$2,000.00