WPISDEF, Rotarians deliver grants
A group with balloons, big checks, a drumline, cheerleaders and high school mascot made noisy entrances into Wills Point Independent School District classrooms last week, but they were welcome guests. Members of the Wills Point ISD Education Foundation joined by Rotarians made noisy classroom appearances on Wednesday to celebrate awards of innovative grants totaling a record of over $39,000.
Teachers, individually and teaming together, submitted 16 grant applications to the Education Foundation for consideration. Projects funded include innovative robotics programs for Pre-K through Junior High, Google expeditions through virtual reality, a Primary school science lab, Chromebooks and so much more.
WPISDEF is only in its second year as an established non-profit organization. Last year they awarded over $13,000 in teacher grants. The goal of the Education Foundation is to inspire learning and enhance opportunities for all students enrolled in the WPISD.
Debbie Deen, WPISDEF President stated, “Teachers are continually looking for new ways to enrich their programs and engage students. What can we do as parents, community members and business persons, is to help make our district the best place for students to learn. Through the WPISDEF, we can give them the funds needed to put these enrichment programs in place.”
Local Rotarians traveled with the Foundation Board of Directors to also spread some joy and deliver their Felix Massey grants. Teachers submitted 14 grants and the total given by local Rotarians was a little above $5,500.
Scott Caloss, WPISD Superintendent and Rotary Club President said, “The Wills Point Rotary Club has been giving out Felix Massey grants since 2015. We are proud to stand beside the Education Foundation to fund opportunities for our teachers and students to try new things. This is an exciting time! We look forward to helping the Foundation grow and help both our organizations to increase grants next year.”
Following is a list of the awards, complete with the name of the program, grade levels involved, and the dollar amount of the grant:
Wills Point ISD Education Foundation (over $39,000)
-Bee Bots for Pre-Kindergarten - $1,225
-Bee Bots for Kindergarten - $2,210
-Science! Science! Science! - Science lab for all students in Primary - $4,848
-Bringing Learning to Life with OSMOs - 2nd and 3rd grade - $1,750
-iPads for Life Skills - Life Skills program at Woods Intermediate - $1,750
-WPJH Robotics & STEM Initiative - $2100
-District STEM Initiative - 3 projects housed with district Technology Coach, utilizing technology for all campuses - $2,425
-Technology Collaboration Station - Woods Intermediate Library - $1800
-Chromebooks - $11,300 (5th Grade Science – 12; 5th Grade ELAR – 12; JH ELA – 11; HS LOTE - 11
-Dual Credit Assistance for WPISD - help defer costs - $10,000
Wills Point Rotary Club Felix Massey Grants (over $5,500)
-Alexander Keselman - HS interactive whiteboard camera system - $417
-Abbigail Damron - HS Chromebooks - $480
-Jeffrey Lester - HS Chromebooks - $480
-Typhanie Hill and Emily Nine - JH Chromebooks - $480
-Tammy McEnturff - JH 8th grade trip to UT Tyler - $330
-Rowdon, Cochran, Moore - JH Robotics & STEM Initiative - $412
-Mary Lindsey, Calico Felan - MS reading time bean bags - $250
-Presley Robertson - MS rocket supplies for aeronautic club - $310
-Jami Wilkinson - MS Chromebooks - $480
-Chris Jones - MS Evolution game balls - $550
-Lori Lamar - Woods Library Makerspaces - $495
-Donna Polege - Primary life cycle of a butterfly - $125
-Emily Weber - Primary STEM enrichment - $433
-Sally Sparks - Primary free little libraries - $325
