The Sapulpa Public School Foundation has awarded a record total of $39,981.74 in teacher grants, split among 36 teachers across the district.
The Grants-to-Teachers Program provides Sapulpa Public Schools teachers with funds for the development and implementation of innovative teaching projects. Teachers must submit ideas for their projects, and this year, more teachers than ever applied.
“We are very excited to have received 83 grant requests for the Grants-to-Teachers program,” said Teri Sherwood, Sapulpa Public School Education Foundation president. “This is a record high in the number of both grant applications and approvals. We are happy to announce that we were able to fund these grants for our teachers.”
Grants are funded through private and corporate donations to the Annual John Cockrum Golf Tournament, held in September. Once ideas are submitted, a Foundation committee prioritizes grants based on imaginative projects to inspire students, generate enthusiasm and promote academic excellence.
Teachers from all eight Sapulpa Public Schools sites received grants for education projects and classroom tools, from a kiln for the high school art department, to “Project Lit” – a program that gives junior high students an opportunity to learn about different writing styles at lunchtime – to unique puzzles to support needs for special education students in elementary school.
“I am so thankful for this grant award,” said Donna Lewellen, elementary art teacher at Jefferson Heights Elementary and Freedom Elementary. “This will allow me to purchase manipulatives and games for my art students that will build shape and color recognition while building fine motor skills.”
Sapulpa Middle School STEM teacher Janet Johnson is grateful, too. In her first year at Sapulpa Public Schools, Mrs. Johnson received a grant for drones.
“I’m thrilled to put this grant to use,” she said. “STEM is all about hands-on technology, and I can’t wait to see these kids learn how to operate drones.”
The Sapulpa Board of Education approved the grants at November’s regular board meeting.
“This is just a fantastic way for our community to support our schools,” said Rob Armstrong, Superintendent of Sapulpa Public Schools. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sapulpa Public School Foundation and the generous corporations, community partners, and individuals who donated.”
The Sapulpa Public School Foundation, Inc. was established in April 1990. It is a broad-based, non-profit, community organization which secures and distributes contributions for the benefit of students in Sapulpa Public Schools.
