Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2015 | Page 5

Three UCPS schools get $15,000 in grant money from Harris Teeter “We’re super excited that Thanks to a $15,000 grant, we are going to be able to students at three Union County replenish our PE equipment Public Schools could be a little healthier and more physically in our classrooms,” said active. Indian Trail Principal Candice The grant money was Boatright. presented to Antioch and Sun Valley High Indian Trail Elementary Schools School Athletic Director and Sun Valley High School Chris Batchelor said the Friday (March 27, 2015) at grant money is extremely Austin Village Harris Teeter welcomed. “We have lots of in Matthews. Principals, staff, needs,” Batchelor said. “The PTO members and even some money will be used for the students (the Sun Valley High school’s baseball program.” baseball team) attended the Sun Valley High’s head presentation. baseball coach, JP Culp, Each school received orchestrated the grant a check for $5,000, plus application for his school. additional funding for the “The money will be used Pictured, from left, are Sun Valley High School Principal Dr. Shaun Poole, Together in Education (TIE) to improve our facility, Antioch Principal Dr. Jamie Benfield, Indian Trail Principal Candice program, which earns money which is used by the entire Boatright and Austin Village Harris Teeter manager Yisha Butts. back to the school when community,” Culp said. customers purchase select Harris Teeter Brand products using their “We will purchase privacy fencing slats that will enclose the VIC card. entire fence around the baseball field,” Culp added. “This helps with Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars both the beautification of the field and the safety of the field.” to the schools of their choice. Holly Weaver and Tricia Crowley, both on the PTO Board at Indian Antioch Elementary received $654.48 in ITE money, while Indian Trail Elementary, came to the presentation to support their school. Trail Elementary received $562.47. “We’re excited about the opportunity, not only as a community “Youth wellness and education will always remain a priority to partner for Harris Teeter, but that they’re working with our school in us,” said Austin Village Harris Teeter manager Yisha Butts. a different way,” Weaver said of the grant money. “This is why we are thrilled to be partnering with you all today,” Harris Teeter’s $15,000 donation to Union County Public Schools she told those attending the presentation. “I would like to thank is part of the company’s $100,000 donation to 20 local schools. It’s each and every one of you for partnering with us to develop an effort to encourage active lifestyles among students. healthier lifestyles for our youth.” Butts said that the company has also donated a total of more Butts added that she feels it’s important to support public education. “I’m a product of public education,” she said. “It’s an important thing to do. It’s for the youth and they’re our future.” Antioch Principal Dr. Jamie Benfield said her school will use the money to purchase 35 pedometers to track student progress in the gym. “This is really exciting,” Benfield said. “It allows us to do something else with technology. We’re assessing students in all the content areas, and now there will be some type of quantitative data to see how the kids are performing in PE, to make sure that they’re all exercising and meeting their target heart rate.” Money left after the purchase of the pedometers will be used to purchase other fitness equipment for Antioch students. The idea for the pedometers was the brainchild of PE teacher Cassie Sloop. “I think PE is going more and more to assessment. I wanted students to know how to be physically active and what level they should be in.” Students will put on the pedometers as soon as they enter the gym. When they leave, the data will be downloaded into a computer. “The pedometers give me an idea where the kids are and it gives The Sun Valley High baseball team joins in on the check the kids an idea of where they sh