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