Photo Gallery of Winners

• Cravens Elementary School - $1,626 for “Novel Effect” reading app license and speakers for 1st grade
• Estes Elementary School - $550 for Lego Robotics software and competition fees
• Foust Elementary School - $358 for Kindergarten Touch & Read Phonics set
• Foust Elementary School - $1,500 for Virtual Reality headsets and equipment
• Foust Elementary School - $3,021 for C-Pens Independent Reading Support
• Newton Parrish Elementary School – $1,500 for Engaged Learning in Reading for 3rd grade
• Newton Parrish Elementary School – $1,650 for Interactive TV for Special Ed Resource Room
• Sutton Elementary School - $1,236 for Eureka Math Manipulatives Kits for 1st grade
• Sutton Elementary School - $1,996 for “Putting Math into Kids” Hands” kits for Kindergarten
• Owensboro Innovation Middle School - $600 for 3D pens for STEAM subjects in art
• Owensboro Innovation Middle School - $3,500 for Virtual Reality headsets and equipment for interactive science simulations
• Owensboro Innovation Middle School - $1,055 for Smart Home Kits for students to learn to assembly and code a smart home
• Owensboro High School - $1,250 for students’ trip to the musical Hamilton in St. Louis in 2023
• Owensboro High School - $192 for Electronic circuits kits for special ed. math
• Owensboro High School - $800 for a new pottery wheel for visual arts
• Owensboro High School - $500 for incentives for credit recovery courses
• Owensboro High School - $1,000 for work experience expenses for special ed.
• Owensboro Innovation Academy - $3,000 for GPS Coding for VEX Robotics competitions
• Owensboro Innovation Academy - $2,698 for Padcaster Studio & iPad to create audio and video recordings
• Owensboro Public Schools District - $500 for printing costs for shorts story collections
• Owensboro Public Schools District - $1,000 for OPS Wellness/Mental Health Nights expenses

21 Mini-Grants for a Total of $29,532

Photo Gallery of Grant Recipients 

·         Cravens Elementary School - $2,000 for Book Vending Machine materials - to purchase books and tokens.

·         Cravens Elementary School - $2,920 for Stimulating Minds Socially - to purchase games/activities for all classrooms. 

·         Cravens Elementary School - $1,000 for Steel Pan Equipment - to purchase one replacement steel pan and one stand for the 11-year-old Cravens Steel Pan Band.

·         Emerson Academy - $1,188 for Raised Bed Greenhouse Gardening - to purchase materials to construct and nurture plant beds and buy vegetables and flowers.

·         Owensboro Innovation Middle School - $4,615 for Virtual Reality and Experiences – to purchase 8 VR headsets and software for 6^th-8^th grade classes.

·         Newton Parrish Elementary School – $1,695 for Choral Riser – to purchase one additional section of choral risers to add to present three sections for larger group of students.

·         OPS District – Central Office – $600 for the purchase of a new drone to be used for Classroom Instruction, Teacher Recruitment, and District Public Relations.

·         Owensboro High School - $625 for Bridging the Gaps – to pay for a Zoom meeting with civil rights activist Ruby Bridges for African American History classes.

·         Owensboro High School - $154 for Picasso Inspired DIY Wire Portrait – to purchase craft wire and additional materials for art project.

·         Owensboro Innovation Academy - $2,300 for Robotic Arms for Computer Integrated Manufacturing Class – to purchase kit for STEM robotic arm with conveyor belt.

·         Owensboro Middle School - $2,000 for OMS Choral Program Artist-in-Residence – to pay for expenses for Roger Emerson to work one day with OMS students.

·         Owensboro Middle School - $700 for Sensory Room Items – to purchase items for students with disabilities.

·         Sutton Elementary School - $500 for Engaged Learning Days – to purchase materials/games for special hands-on activity days to make learning come alive.

·         Sutton Elementary School - $1,890 for Ukuleles for music classes – to purchase 30 ukuleles so all students can learn the instrument.

 

14 Mini-Grants for Total:  $22,197

Foundation mini-grants awarded for 2020-2021 school year

 

• Cravens Elementary School – $400 to purchase 6 ukuleles to add to a set of 19 for music classes so all students can have one to use in class.  
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• Cravens Elementary School – $1,576 to purchase a Pass-the-Mic sound amplification system to help deaf, hard-of-hearing, ADD/ADHS, English learners, and all Kindergarten students to enhance the teacher’s voice to class noise ratio.
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• Estes Elementary School – $1,210 to build and sustain the RCX Lego Robotics Team at Estes to expand math and science knowledge through competition.
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• Estes Elementary School – $1,600 to purchase a buzzer system, supplies, and KAAC dues for Quick Recall Academic Team competition.    
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• Hager Preschool –  $2,500 to purchase Pre-K Eureka Math Program, a foundational piece to prepare for OPS elementary grades K-5 Eureka Math programs.
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• Newton Parrish Elementary School – $300 to purchase 6 specially designed chairs for students with ADD/ADHS to help with concentration.
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• Newton Parrish Elementary School–  $1,200 to purchase books to enhance independent reading particularly science-related in 4^th grade classrooms.
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• Owensboro Innovation Middle School – $2,570 to purchase furnishings and supplies to create a Sensory Room, a place for autism students to calm and refocus.
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• Owensboro Middle and iMiddle Schools – $2,800 to purchase 2 TVs and supplies for each buildings’ lobbies for technology classes to design content for daily school information. 
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• Owensboro Middle and High Schools – $100 to purchase 10 storage bins for dance classes to store costumes and dance shoes.
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• Owensboro High School – $1,000 for community-based instruction and transition to work skills for non-diploma students.          
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• Owensboro High School – $700 for Early Childhood Education Pathway program to pay for background checks, TB skin tests required for graduation.
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• Owensboro High School – $1,000 to purchase two books for each student in AP Literature and Composition course to foster love of reading.
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• Owensboro High School – $197 to purchase 9 games to promote speaking in ELL classroom for a self-directed game station for English Language Learner students.
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• Owensboro High School – $575 to purchase materials for collaboration of arts & humanities and photography classes to re-create famous works of art from household objects from an idea inspired by the Getty Museum during quarantine.
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• OPS District Literacy – $2,523 to purchase Scholastic Magazine subscriptions for each OPS 6-12 school to give access to current literacy instruction in all content areas.
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• Seven Hills Preschool – $269 to purchase 3 pre-made STEM Early Learning Kits to be shared throughout the school.
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• Transportation Department – $5,000 to partially fund the purchase of “Buster the School Bus” robot program for teaching bus safety to elementary students.

 Total:  $25,520

Foundation mini-grants awarded for the 2019-2020 school year:

 

Cravens Elementary School – $518 to purchase Number Corner Kindergarten package for a more hands-on experience teaching math skills.

Estes Elementary School – $273.39 to purchase Flexible seating equipment and materials, cushions, fidget chair bands and ball chairs.

Estes Elementary School – $1,500 to purchase 30 ukuleles, books and wall mount hooks for K-5 students.

Estes Elementary School – $910 to create a RCX LEGO Robotics Club and to purchase robot, software and competition expenses.

Hager Preschool – $842.89 to purchase Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program to increase literacy skills of preschoolers.

Newton Parrish Elementary School – $700 to purchase Formative Loop Math Fluency program for P2.

Sutton Elementary School – $2,000 to purchase four “Second-Step” kits for social and emotional skills for kindergarten learning.

Owensboro Innovation Middle School – $1,332.03 to purchase materials to create an iGarden with raised-bed gardens.

Owensboro High School –  $500 to purchase a DSLR camera kit with video capabilities and wireless internet connection for student publishing.

Owensboro High Schools – $614 to purchase 100 young adult books on the Holocaust to empower students to stand up against racism and discrimination.

Owensboro High School – $1,500 to purchase textbooks and class material resources for AP courses.

District Literacy – $1,678.20 to purchase two subscription sets to Scope, Scholastic World and Scholastic Math for grades 6-10.

Cravens Elementary School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Estes Elementary School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Foust Elementary School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Newton Parrish Elementary School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Sutton Elementary School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Hager Preschool – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Owensboro Middle School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Owensboro High School – $400 for instructional supplies and programs.

Owensboro Innovation Middle School – $200 for instructional supplies and programs.

Owensboro Innovation Academy – $200 for instructional supplies and programs.

Emerson Academy – $200 for instructional supplies and programs.

Total: $16,168.51

Foundation mini-grants awarded for 2018-2019 school year: 

 

Estes Elementary School – $633.34 for Conscious Discipline, Special Education

Estes Elementary School – $699.30 for Conscious Discipline, Early Learning Academy

Estes Elementary School – $1,500 for Owensboro Kids Magazine

Foust Elementary School – $1,000 for Foust Store Economy

Foust Elementary School – $1,500 for Success with Series Reading

Newton Parrish Elementary School – $435.80 for 60 Recorder Instruments and Music Books

Cravens Elementary School – $1,000 for EdMark Reading Program, Special Education

Cravens Elementary School – $600 for PAWS Club Mentor Project

Sutton Elementary School – $2,000 for Kindergarten STEM Projects

Owensboro High School – $500 for Snack Shack, Special Education

Owensboro High School – $500 for Early Childhood Education Pathways

Owensboro High School – $1,500 for College Readiness Opportunities  

Cravens Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Estes Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Foust Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Newton Parrish Elem. School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Sutton Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Hager Preschool – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Owensboro Middle School South – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Owensboro Middle School North – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Owensboro Innovation Academy – $125 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Gateway Academy – $125 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Owensboro High School – $500 for Instructional Supplies and Programs

Total:  $14,618.44

2016 Grants awarded August 9, 2016

 

1. Newton Parrish Elementary School – $500 for Boys2Men and Girls Etiquette Club
2. Estes Elementary School – $1,645 for Project Lead the Way
3. Cravens Elementary School – $1,000 for Microphones for Music Program
4. Owensboro Middle School North – $2,500 for K’Nex Renewable Energy Program
5. Owensboro High School – $1,200 for Redevelopment of Ethos to print publication
6. Owensboro High School – $1,300 for Early Childhood Pathway for 2016-2018
7. Owensboro Middle School North – $500 for Instructional Supplies
8. Owensboro Middle School South – $500 for Instructional Supplies
9. Owensboro Innovation Academy – $250 for Instructional Supplies
10. Gateway Academy – $250 for Instructional Supplies
11. Owensboro High School – $1,000 for Instructional Supplies
12. Hager Preschool – $700 for Instructional Supplies
13. Cravens Elementary School – $700 for Instructional Supplies
14. Estes Elementary School – $700 for Instructional Supplies
15. Foust Elementary School – $700 for Instructional Supplies
16. Newton Parrish Elementary School – $700 for Instructional Supplies
17. Sutton Elementary School – $700 for Instructional Supplies

Total amount of grants awarded:  $14,845.

Grants Awarded for 2014-15

 

The following grants have been awarded by the Foundation for Excellence Owensboro Independent Schools Board of Directors for the 2014-2015 School Year. 

Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors Andy Johnson and Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake made a surprise visit to each recipient to present the grants on February 10, 2015. “Owensboro Public School teachers are on the cutting edge of innovation in the classroom. We are happy to give them the money they need to move their classrooms forward,” said Andy Johnson.

A total of $7,356.67 was awarded through the six grants. Grants were made possible through Foundation fundraising, employee donations and memorial contributions to the Foundation.

• • Cravens Elementary School-$3,591-Tynker Programming Software: This is computer software that teaches elementary students programming and computational thinking skills and gives them a good foundation in STEM thinking abilities.

 

• • OMS South-$555.67-Dogfish Shark Dissection: This will pay for 50 dogfish sharks for dissection, dissection trays, Clorox wipes for cleanup and cost of shipping.

 

• • OHS-$800-Dance Shoes and Costumes: This will provide dance shoes and costumes for students who cannot afford them.  The amount stated also includes funds for needed additional storage cabinets.

 

• • Gateway Academy-$1,600-Stock Market Portfolio Challenge: This is a computer program that teaches sound financial practices which is already being taught at OHS.

 

• • Gateway Academy-$600-Junior Achievement Product Development and Marketing: This will provide the resources for students to develop and market products through Junior Achievement.

 

• • Gateway Academy-$210-Lit and Knit: This will be used to b buy yarn for 75 students for one year.  Students will use the yarn to knit while taking turns reading aloud to each other in order to improve their literacy skills.

 

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a Foundation that believes money raised for Owensboro Public Schools should be put directly in the classroom,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent.

Grants Awarded for 2013-14

 

The following grants have been awarded by the Foundation for Excellence Owensboro Independent Schools Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 School Year. 

President of the Board Dr. Mike Johnson, Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake, and Foundation Liaison Chris Gaddis made a surprise visit to each recipient to present the grants on October 4, 2013.

A total of $10,885.42 was awarded through the seven grants.  Grants were made possible through Foundation fundraising, employee donations and memorial contributions to the Foundation. 

• $3,325 to Estes Elementary for an Engineering Program for 3rd & 4th grades. The funds will be used to purchase kits that will introduce engineering to students through hands-on projects.

• $500 to Foust Elementary for an i-Pad for two visually impaired students to share. There are several apps for the visually impaired, including VoiceOver which reads information to the user.

• $1,120 to Hager Preschool for Sensory Processing Center, which “…will provide needed sensory input and opportunities for sensory exploration for all students…”

• $995.47 to Newton Parrish Elementary for repair of string instruments and bows and purchase of a new violin.

• $950.95 to Sutton Elementary for the purchase of additional percussion instruments for Sutton Percussion Club,

• $2,935 to Owensboro Middle School for an Engineering Summer Camp for students entering the 5th, 6th & 7th grades. The camp will introduce students to design and technology in the areas of Aerospace Engineering, Electricity and Magnetism, and Design and Modeling.

• $1,059 to Owensboro Middle South North for a Special Needs Sensory Area, which will provide students with multiple disabilities a place “…where they can independently interact with items for calming, relaxing and recreational activities…”

Grants Awarded for 2011-2012

Grants Awarded for 2010-2011

 

The following grants were awarded by the Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence Board of Directors in November 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year. 

Dr. Mike Johnson, president of the Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, made a surprise visit to each recipient to present the grants. 

A total of $10,230 was given.  Grants were made possible through employee and memorial contributions to the Foundation.

• $837 to Estes Elementary School (1st grade classes for media center) for the purchase of a collection of nonfiction books that are pre-leveled as well as a mobile cart to store the books.
• $1,593 to Estes Elementary School (3rd & 4th grade classes)for the purchase of 80 leveled fiction and 80 leveled non-fiction books to add to classroom library to increase student achievement.
• $1,000 to Foust Elementary School to continue a Garden Club project to provide an outdoor learning environment for students in the school courtyard as well as to create a science/weather center.
• $750 to Newton Parrish Elementary School (Music Department) for the purchase of a third octave add-on set of 12 handbells and storage cases to extend the range for two handchime ensembles.
• $1,000 to Owensboro Middle School (South Campus Media Center) for the purchase of books and accompanying accelerated reader tests to update and enlarge the biography collection for 5th & 6th graders.
• $1,000 to Owensboro Middle School (Orchestra Department)for the hiring of professional musicians to give private and small group instruction one day per week to 5th and 6th grade orchestra students.
• $800 to Owensboro Middle School (North Campus Youth Service Center) to provide an 8th grade College and Careers Week and 7th grade Reality Fair to increase students� awareness of doing well in school and planning for their futures in real life situations.
• $250 to Owensboro Middle School (North Campus) to provide an EXPLORE test preparation seminar and related supplies for 8th grade students to focus on test-taking strategies and time management.
• $1,000 to Owensboro High School (The Scoop/Digital Devil Student Newspaper) to purchase a high-quality digital camera, lens, tripod, and carrying case needed to produce the student newspaper.
• $1,000 to Owensboro High School to partner with other high schools or local organizations to invite Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges to speak to all OHS juniors and seniors to share lessons of tolerance and forgiveness.
• $1,000 to Seven Hills Alternative School (Rewards Committee)to provide field trips, social events, educational experiences to enhance social & community awareness to which students are not accustomed and reward students who demonstrate skills needed for successful transition to adult life.

Grants Awarded for 2010

 

The following grants were presented by Dr. Mike Johnson, President of OPS Foundation, at the January 28, 2010, meeting of the Owensboro Board of Education.

The Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence Board of Directors reviewed 23 grant applications from excellent programs in our schools requesting a total of $40,103.54.

Because of the generosity of 182 OPS staff members who have pledged their financial support, the Foundation is able to almost double the amount of grants this year to $11,800.   Last year’s total awarded was $5,950.  Every school that submitted an application is represented in the following 14 grants awarded:

• $400 to Estes Elementary School (Science and Writing classroom) for the purchase of a complete set of science content-based graphic novels to enhance both science and reading skills.
• $500 to Estes Elementary School (2nd grade) for the purchase of a diverse selection of good literature that appeals to both boys and girls reading above grade level, specifically multiple copies of books at 3rd-5th grade levels.
• $1,200 to Foust Elementary School to establish a Garden Club to construct a learning space in the school’s courtyard.
• $750 to Sutton Elementary School (Music Department) for the purchase of new instruments to add to their collection of “Orff” instruments and other classroom percussion.
• $1,000 to Owensboro 5-6 Center (Media Center) for the purchase of Playaways recorded books and supplies to increase student reading achievement.
• $1,000 to Owensboro 5-6 Center (Music Department) for the purchase of culturally specific instruments for hands-on learning so students can truly experience the uniqueness of other cultures.
• $300 to Owensboro Middle School to provide an EXPLORE test preparation seminar and related supplies for 8th grade students to focus on test-taking strategies.
• $300 to Owensboro Middle School to continue the tradition of a Mother-Daughter Banquet for 8th grade girls to help transition to high school.
• $300 to Owensboro Middle School to provide a College and Careers Week and Reality Fair to increase awareness of doing well in school and planning for post-secondary education.
• $1,000 to Owensboro High School (Academic Team) to sponsor the Fourth Grade Academic Challenge to highlight excellence of high school and elementary school students.
• $2,000 to Owensboro High School (Guidance) to renew the ACT tutoring program.
• $1,200 to Owensboro High School (Youth Service Center) for the purchase of graphing calculators for the after school program to allow students to check out calculators to take home to do homework or study for tests.
• $1,500 to Owensboro High School (Special Education Dept.) for Project Support/Student Financial Assistance/Community Based Instruction to prepare special needs students for real world experiences with life and job skills through community based instruction.
• $350 to Owensboro High School (Community Volunteers) for supplies for a college freshman mentoring program for OHS seniors who will be family first generation college students.

Grants Awarded for 2008-2009

 

Presented by Dr. Mike Johnson, President of OPS Foundation

November 20, 2008

ESTES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

$1,500 to Technology

Estes Elementary School is awarded a $1,500 grant for Technology needs. There were three grant applications from three Estes teachers for classes needing laptop computers, digital cameras and related equipment. The Foundation Board voted to give $1,500 to Estes to purchase technology equipment for the school as a whole so all students can benefit from the purchases to enhance their technology skills. Technology is one of the focused goals of the Foundation for Excellence and this grant will provide students with some of the tools needed to bring learning to life in the classroom while integrating photography and videography into the curriculum.

NEWTON PARRISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

$1,800 to Music Program for the Purchase of Student Violins

Newton Parrish Elementary School Music program is awarded a $1,800 grant to enhance the area of violin study for its students. The grant is to be used to purchase 20 student violins at a cost of $90 each. Newton Parrish has provided a structured string instruction program for the past three years with over 55 students taking part. Students’ abilities have improved and the program has grown each year. However, many students do not have the opportunity to participate because they cannot afford the cost of a violin. This grant will provide violins for students to borrow while they are part of the ensemble. Study of the violin will extend and develop the students’ understanding of musical concepts. Students will also develop a greater sense of confidence in themselves and their abilities, which as discovered in many studies, has been proven to carry over into other subject areas.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$2,000 for A.C.T. Tutoring Program

Owensboro High School is awarded a $2,000 grant for stipends for tutors for the ACT tutoring program. Last year, OHS created a one-on-one tutoring program for students who needed to improve certain specific areas of their ACT. Several students improved as much as 6 points in a certain area and some raised their composite scores 3-5 points This allowed some to compete for scholarships that might not have been possible otherwise.

The program was funded by ESS (Extended School Services) last year and those funds were cut from the state budget this year so the program had to be discontinued. This grant will allow the program to be offered again for the remainder of this year.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$400 to the OHS Student Newspaper, the Scoop, for Technology training

Owensboro High School is awarded a $400 grant for technology training for the OHS student newspaper, the Scoop, students and staff. This will provide training for students and staff to useInDesign, the publishing program, in order for the newspaper to be published on a more regular basis by the students.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$250 for Financial Aid Training

Owensboro High School is awarded a $250 grant for the purpose of hiring a knowledgeable financial aid advisor to help students and their parents in the completion of the FAFSA (federal financial aid form) in order to receive funds to attend college. The FAFSA form can be intimidating to students and parents who are filling it out for the first time and this program helps to eliminate this barrier between our students and college.

The program began last year with former KWC financial aid advisor, Mr. Gus Paris, and was a huge success.

Grants Approved for 2007-2008

 

Presented by Dr. Mike Johnson, President of OPS Foundation

SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

$720 for Digital Pens for Writing Portfolios

Sutton Elementary School is awarded a $720 grant for the purchase of 6 digital pens. The digital pens will allow students to write freely on any paper, store their written information, and then transform their written notes into text by simply plugging the USB drive in to a computer.

ESTES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

$500 to Future Leaders Academy

Estes Elementary School is awarded a $500 grant for the Future Leaders Academy where fourth grade students learn about leadership skills and personally develop those skills in their lives. Students are introduced to concepts of responsible citizenship within the community and the nation.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$1,000 to Project Support/Student Financial Assistance/Community-based Instruction

Owensboro High School is awarded a $1,000 grant for a program to assist students with mild, moderate, and severe special needs to learn life and job skills. Funds will be used for entrance and instruction fees for Community-based Instruction, art supplies for Arts and Humanities, audio materials, Instructional kits for core content classes, and a trip to the Louisville Science Museum.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$500 to E.L.I.T.E. Athletics

Owensboro High School is awarded a $1,000 grant to purchase materials needed for the OHS E.L.I.T.E. (Eligibility, Leadership, Involvement, Training, and Education) program that helps prepare student athletes to potentially receive college athletic scholarships. Advisory meetings teach them about courses to take that count toward NCAA core grade point average, media awareness techniques, and how to develop an athletic profile for college coaches and more.

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

$250 for Financial Aid Training

Owensboro High School is awarded a $250 grant for the purpose of hiring a knowledgeable financial advisor to train volunteers to help students and their parents in the completion of the FAFSA (federal financial aid form) in order to receive funds to attend college.

Owensboro Public Schools
Foundation For Excellence
1335 West 11th Street
Owensboro, Kentucky 42301
Phone: 270-686-1000 

OPS Foundation Awards Three Grants for 2006

 

The Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence awarded three grants to OPS schools at the November 16, 2006, meeting of the Owensboro Board of Education.

Owensboro High School – $1,000

Owensboro High School was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Owensboro Public Schools’ Foundation for Excellence to purchase materials needed for the OHS ELITE (Eligibility, Leadership, Involvement, Training, and Education) program that helps prepare student athletes to potentially receive college athletic scholarships.

Rose Curtain Players – $3,000

Owensboro High School’s Rose Curtain Players have been invited to perform at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland next summer. A grant of $200 per student participating up to $3,000 was provided by the Foundation to help with the cost of making the trip to Scotland. Approximately 14 students will be attending.

Cravens Elementary School – $5,000

Cravens Elementary School received a $5,000 grant to provide a structured program that will bring professional artists in the areas of music, visual art, drama, and dance into the school to work with students and enhance experiences in the Arts. The grant includes funding for an artist in residence program.

The OPS Foundation for Excellence awards grants annually to OPS schools. Funding is through tax-deductible donations to the Foundation. For more information, contact:

Owensboro Public Schools
Foundation For Excellence
1335 West 11th Street
Owensboro, Kentucky 42301
Phone: 270-686-1000 

OPS Foundation Awards Four Grants for 2005

 

The Owensboro Public Schools Foundation for Excellence awarded four grants to OPS schools at the November 17, 2005, meeting of the Owensboro Board of Education.

Estes Elementary School is receiving a $2,000 grant to implement the “One Book-One School-One Community” Family Literacy Project. The program is an opportunity for the school to emphasize the importance of reading and to create a sense of community within the school. The goal of this program is to have everyone in the Estes school community – students and their families, all certified and classified staff, and school volunteers – involved. The grant will include the purchase of 300 Dr. Seuss books so that everyone can read the same book and participate in a number of reading activities that will culminate during a family literacy celebration at the school on March 2. Walter Lee is the Estes Principal.

Newton Parrish Elementary School is receiving a $1,760 grant to create an After-School Club Model to enrich experiences of students both academically and athletically. A series of three-week clubs offered four times throughout the year will provide the opportunity for students to get a taste of activities such as technology, photography, chess, basketball, soccer, softball, art, cooking, crafts and enrichment in math, science, and social studies. The program is expected to carry over into classroom performance and to expose students to a variety of activities that will be offered later in their academic and athletic careers. Steve Bratcher is the Newton Parrish Principal.

Sutton Elementary School’s grant for $1,000 will be used toward purchasing technology equipment that will enhance student learning and performance. They will use the money to purchase digital cameras, memory sticks, SmartBoard “Airliner” wireless slates and a photo printer. The technology will be used to incorporate digital pictures into portfolio entries, PowerPoint presentations, and classroom web sites. The slates will transform classrooms into interactive learning environments. Slates allow teachers to teach from anywhere in the classroom and it allows students to interact with the information from their desks. Jimmy Lyddane is the Sutton Principal.

Owensboro High School will be using their $1,000 grant toward connecting curriculum between the visual arts and the sciences in order to increase student achievement and enhance collaboration among teachers. An arts fair will be introduced in collaboration with the school’s annual science fair in March. Arts and science teachers will design categories that will encourage students to develop creative science projects incorporating the arts and art projects incorporating the sciences. They will work together to develop integrated lessons to use art to support and reinforce learning in science. Winners of both the science and arts fairs will be recognized through awards ceremonies. Anita Burnette is the OHS Principal.

The OPS Foundation for Excellence awards grants annually to OPS schools. Funding is through tax-deductible donations to the Foundation. For more information, contact:

Owensboro Public Schools
Foundation For Excellence
1335 West 11th Street
Owensboro, Kentucky 42301
Phone: 270-686-1000