GPEF awards over $25,000 in grants to GISD teachers

Graham Public Education Foundation presented grants to teachers of each Graham ISD campus Friday totaling $26,175.73. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to enriching and enhancing the education of Graham students.

GPEF provides funding to GISD teachers outside of the budget through a grant application process and obtains money through donations and fundraising events. The organization actively seeks donations from alumni, citizens, businesses, corporations and other foundations.

“GPEF provides bonus funds for innovative things and fun things. GPEF have worked hard over the last several years to work toward an endowed foundation so they have a perpetual source of income to provide extra things for our staff and students,” Superintendent Sonny Cruse said.

The board for GPEF, with members of the school district administration, reviews the project requests and chooses grants that will make an impact.

“What they have been doing since the inception of GPEF is once a year we have a grant application process where teachers have the opportunity if they have seen something that they would like to try or do that’s different and unique they have the chance to apply for that and GPEF funds it,” Cruse said.

The organization takes a bus with board members and campus administrators, called the prize patrol, to each campus to present awards to the teachers each year. The district superintendent said that one of the most exciting things about the program for him is that they are able to fund not only tools but experiences.

“One thing that a lot of times we forget about is that a lot of our kids that live in our community don’t have the luxury of having a situation where they are able to travel and be outside of Graham or Young County much,” he said. “If we can provide students the opportunity to go see the greater world and see some things outside our community that just broadens their horizons and GPEF helps fund those opportunities.”

This year, a total of $10,310.65 was given at Graham High School, $3,185.08 was given at Graham Junior High School, $756 was given at Woodland Elementary School, $3,500 was given at Crestview Elementary School and $8,424 was given at Pioneer Elementary School.

GPEF Grants

Novel Effect (Pioneer)

This grant allows the purchase of Novel Effect, which is an interactive app that responds to voice with music and sound effects. The app offers the campus a growing library to enrich their regular storytime routine.

Raz-Plus (Pioneer)

This grant allows the purchase of Raz-Plus, which is an online library of leveled resources to enhance reading instruction by combining teacher-led instruction, independent practice, formative assessment and reporting.

Sensory Path (Pioneer)

A Sensory Path was funded by GPEF in 2021 and serves as a platform for students to release stress and cope with different emotions. This grant will replace the existing path in the kindergarten hallway which has been well used.

Kindness Crew Coffee Cart (Woodland)

This grant expands the existing coffee cart program started at Woodland Elementary School which goes around to teachers to offer coffee, tea and water several times a week. It will run twice a day, added drink options and included other snacks on the cart.

Zearn to Learn (Crestview)

This grant allows the purchase of the Zearn Math program as an effective intervention program that aligns with the district’s current kindergarten through 5th grade Math curriculum. It has video lessons and activities that mirror the content in the classroom lessons.

Gaga Ball (Crestview)

This grant allows for the purchase of equipment for Gaga Ball, a sport for students of all ages which encourages fast movements and high energy to keep children active and engaged.

Field Trip – 8th Grade (GJHS)

This grant allows GJHS teachers to take all 8th grade students to the National Vietnam War Museum in Mineral Wells for a field trip.

A Day in the City (GHS)

This grant allows junior and senior students in special education programs an opportunity to build independent living skills and experience/practice skills they will need after graduation.

San Antonio Adventure (GHS)

This grant would allow the Graham High School Life Skills upperclassmen to take an educational trip to San Antonio next school year. The trip would allow students to generalize independent living skills they practice and work towards throughout the year, such as budgeting skills, procession communication, using navigation tools and creating responsible checklists.

Pen Pal Program (GHS)

This grant would allow for the purchase of year two of the Pen Pal Program where students follow prompts to create video content for 4-6 weeks. Videos are created in both English and Spanish, depending on the prompt, with a goal of bringing together language learners around the world.