The Partners In Education Foundation, Inc. (PIE) made its tour of El Dorado schools October 18 to distribute this year’s Spring Awards. Two different types of awards were presented: $10,450 in Grants to Schools, and $900 in awards from the Felix Alton Cantrell Jr. Fund.
The bi-annual Grants to Schools awards are initiated by the instructors, librarians, or staff of the schools when they apply for grants using innovative curriculum, creative books, or other items that facilitate a positive classroom experience. A PIE committee reviews and selects the grants to be awarded based on the quality of the requests and the funds available. PIE has over twenty-five endowed funds that facilitate these grants. This year H&R Block of El Dorado provided additional grant funding.
At Skelly Elementary: One Cantrell grant was awarded to Sarah Harms & Tonya Morgan –
“Playing to Learn – Learning to Play”. The PIE Grant awardee was Emma Culbertson for
“Panther Productions.”
At Blackmore Elementary: Luana Lewis – “Jump Start to Reading & Owl Love it”, Amber McLaren - “Characters Welcome.”
Two Cantrell grants were awarded, Kate Hadley – “Playground Communication Stations,” Austin Pyle – Academic Engagement Through Sensory.”
At Grandview Elementary: Linda Barker – “Flexible Classroom Seating”
El Dorado Middle School: LuAnne Vides – “Social Skills Library”, Dawn Rush – “Catching Speed,” Justina Mollach – “Who Was our History.”
At El Dorado High School: ” Ashley Durr – “Zoology Dissections & Live Specimens,” Shawn
McGuire – “Science Olympiad”, Dustin Harris – “Gelli Plat Printmaking”, Pete Cisneros “Miter
Gauge & Carbide Lathe Tools”.
Plus, one Cantrell Grant to Effie Winn – “Autism Manipulatives.”
At El Dorado Extend: Remington Putter – “Mental Health & Wellness Multi-Unit Pack”, Karla
King received two – “Student Creator & Sensory Support for Students.”
Even the Bus Barn got in the action with Alicia Cubbage getting awarded “Positive Bus Conduct Awards.”
The generosity of Jeanette Rudy continues to benefit our community by using the Felix Alton Cantrell Jr. Fund entrusted to PIE. The Cantrell Committee selected 5 requests totaling over $900. These grants will provide students with special needs equipment that enhance their ability to learn and prosper.
The Fall round of grants generated many more requests that PIE had the resources to fulfill this year. Over thirty were requested so we had to defer funding for lots of great items that would make classrooms more creative, fun, and productive. Please consider donating to our Grants to Schools program so we can complete some of these requests in the Spring cycle of grants.
Partners In Education Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1989 to enhance the educational opportunities for the students of USD 490. For more information visit our web page www.pie490.org, or contact Rod Blackburn, Development Director at rod.blackburn@pie490.org, 316.322.4800.
Pictured above, PIE board members Bernie Spradling, Cindy Koehler, Laura Luehrs, and Julie Jensen present an award to Alisha Cubbage at the Bus Barn for “Positive Bus Conduct Awards.” Joining us on this stop is Ian Hett, Executive Director of Technology as Papple.