BATESVILLE, Ind. — At its December meeting, the Batesville Community Education Foundation awarded nearly $7,500 in grants.
The Foundation says this cycle was the most competitive cycle since its inception.
The foundation awarded grants in all 3 area of focus, academics, arts, and athletics.
- Outdoor Basketball Goals at BMS: With $1300 in grant money from BCEF, a group of BMS teachers is working toward bringing outdoor basketball goals back for their students. While the students currently have outside time if the weather permits, the previous basketball goals had to be removed as part of the BIS expansion. As part of the Healthy Schools Initiative, the teachers hope to get enough money to install basketball goals for the students to use to stay active during outdoor break times.
- Scientific Calculators for Middle Schoolers: Twenty-five scientific calculators will become a permanent part of the BMS Math department, thanks to a $1100 grant from BCEF. With fewer students at this age owning their own scientific calculators, providing them at school will allow the teachers to provide instruction for general math use and testing now instead of having to delay this until high school.
- Partnership with Music Boosters Brings New BMS Marching Drums: BCEF provided $1,000 to BMS toward the purchase of new marching drums. The previous drums were hand-me-downs from BHS and were too heavy for the smaller drummers. The Batesville Music Boosters have offered to pay the remaining cost so BMS drummers can concentrate on performing the music instead of wrestling with the weight of bulky oversized drums.
- Expansion of Movement Lab and Calming Rooms at BPS: Three rooms at BPS will be modified to meet the multi-faceted needs of young learners. With a $1500 grant from BCEF, these rooms will receive more supplies so that an expanding number of students can be reached. The Minds in Motion Lab uses physical movement to improve mental organization skills. For some students struggling with emotional needs, time spent in the more fully equipped calming rooms will provide a safe environment to allow them to have a mental and emotional break so they can return to the classrooms ready to learn.
- Innovative Stand-Up Desks Coming to BMS: In order to provide a flexible learning environment for students who prefer to stand during learning, BCEF has awarded a grant of just over $2500 to the Batesville Middle School to purchase 12 stand-up desks. One reading/language arts classroom and one math classroom per grade level will each get two stand-up desks. Studies show that providing a standing option can increase student engagement, memory capability, health, and overall functioning during academic periods.
