(Batesville, IN) – The Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its fall grants to staff at the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC).
This program allows up to $5,000 to be awarded each fall to projects selected by a committee of foundation board members, according to BCEF executive director Anne Wilson.
Grants awarded were:
· Special education teacher Nicole Gross at Batesville Middle School (BMS) was awarded nearly $1,200 to purchase six whiteboard desks for her special education classroom. These desks will help students who need extra support by providing visual aids and checklists right at their desks. They will also make it easier for teachers to review student work and easily assist with students’ individual needs.
· Roughly $800 was awarded to Batesville Intermediate School teacher Brenda Skinner to purchase supplies and develop an “After School with the ARTS” club to reach kids with varying interests who either can’t participate or who are not interested in traditional after-school opportunities. This goal is directly aligned with the new Bulldog Ready Portrait of a Graduate, as it expands the reach of the students into nontraditional after-school clubs. Ideas include art, flowers, and choir, all at no cost to the student.
· Nearly $3,000 was awarded to help Dan Borns, director of Batesville Choirs, purchase freestanding mirrors, specifically for choreography work by the Batesville High School (BHS) show choir, Batesville Singers. Currently, Batesville Singers does most of its choreography work at BMS due to space limitations at BHS. These mirrors would allow the entire show choir to see their movements simultaneously and can be used by BMS as well. The Batesville Music Boosters will provide additional funding to complete this project.
“Beginning this year, our spring grants will be dedicated to funding the new Bulldog Ready guaranteed experiences that will take our students out into the community to learn how what they are learning applies in real life,” Wilson said. “We’re excited to be a part of the Bulldog Ready convening council that helps connect the community to the classroom and are grateful to our sponsors who help provide funding for our programs.”
The Batesville Community Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to provide additional funding for innovative learning opportunities that go beyond the basics in academics, athletics, and the arts in the Batesville public schools, enhancing the educational environment for all BCSC students.
In addition to the classroom grants, BCEF supports larger projects, such as the Art on Main mural project in downtown Batesville and the planned mental health wellness center at Batesville High School.
For more information, visit the BCEF website at BatesvilleEducationFoundation.org or email director Anne Wilson at [email protected].
(Batesville Community Education Foundation press release)
