Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014

Education Foundation awards grants to 40 UCPS teachers Weddington High School teacher Christina Sanders, second from left, is surprised to receive a mini grant for $500 from the Union County Education Foundation. Also pictured, from left, are Weddington High School Assistant Principal Marcus Leake, and foundation board members Sylvia Newsome, Sabrina Hodges and Star Shaffer. New Town Elementary teacher Ann Jacob, center, is surprised by Union County Education Foundation members. Also pictured, from left, are foundation member Sabrina Hodges, parent volunteer Allegra Pruitt, foundation board member Sylvia Newsome and New Town Elementary Principal Catherine Perry. The Union County Education Foundation has awarded 40 teachers from 26 UCPS schools “Teacher and Classroom MiniGrants” worth more than $18,000. The Foundation “Prize Patrol” surprised these teachers in their classrooms today (Nov. 13, 2013) with festive balloons and a “big” check in amounts ranging from $165 to $500. “It’s really exciting to be able to add more to the curriculum, those little extra things that make the lessons come alive,” said Ann Jacob, a teacher at New Town Elementary, who won two grants totaling $810 for two different projects. “Opportunities like this allows teachers to further delve into instructional activities within the classroom and produce the non-typical activities that motivate and interest our students the most,” said Jacob’s principal, Catherine Perry. Projects ranged from making an in-class library, to creating sculptures, integrating technology into music and doing a global art exchange. Last year, school communities from across Union County came together to make today financially possible through their support of the “Running for U 5K” and through direct support to the Foundation. “It was exciting to witness the 700+ runners who participated on race day,” said the 5K Race Director, Rob Jackson. “That day was great. Today, though was amazing, as we watched the excitement in teachers’ eyes when they learned that they had won a classroom grant to supplement their instruction.” The money will go a long way to help South Providence teacher Jessica Sutton in her goal to raise enough money to purchase additional history materials for her classroom, which cost $900. “I’ve raised $200 on my own, with another matching $200, so hopefully now it’s covered,” Sutton said, her excitement obvious. “It’s a way to bring history alive. This is a way to make a subject matter more interesting for those students who are not that excited about history.” Sutton’s principal, Barry Ross agreed. “It’s one thing to teach students about the pyramids, it’s another thing to let them build pyramids,” he said. “It brings history and social studies to life.” Joining the foundation’s executive director Amy Sperry in South Providence teacher Jessica Sutton, at right, is excited to receive a mini grant for $500 from the Union County Education Foundation. Also pictured, from left, are foundation members Sabrina Hodges and Sylvia Newsome, and South Providence Principal Barry Ross. making the presentations were members of the Foundation’s board of directors and representatives from the UCPS Superintendent’s office and cabinet. This is the second year the foundation has awarded the grants. Last year the foundation awarded 17 teachers from 15 different UCPS schools more than $7,000. Monroe Parks and Recreation After School Program Sports Activities Homework Assistance Arts & Crafts Field Trips indoor activities in air conditioned gym with sport flooring! Mon-Fri After School - 6:30 p.m. ! Only $45 per week! 9 !!!! Pickup provided from 64 Rocky River, Benton .4 OW Heights, Shiloh, Walter 2 N Bickett, Porter Ridge, 28 er . Poplin, Sun Valley 04 ist Elementary, Union 7 g Academy Upper Re and Lower Schools, Walter Bickett Education Center and East Elementary. This program is held at Dickerson Center. This facility has recently undergone major renovations and now includes an air conditioned gym with sport court flooring. Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2014 • 7

Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2014 | Page 9