Written by: Preston Willis
Photo Credit: Michael Wray
The Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation (BPSF) just completed its two fall grant cycles, awarding 9 grants to teachers, totaling $23,194.
This year’s fall grant cycles consisted of Classroom Grants, NOKACS Science Grants, a Professional Growth Grant, and an Experts in Residence Grant, coordinating to enrich core and extracurricular class activities alike, while also giving teachers extended training to further ensure success of students district-wide.
The awarded grants supported projects from science and elementary reading, to music and art. Julie Giovannetti, the Honors and AP Art teacher at Bartlesville High School, was awarded a grant that will arrange for the revitalization of the high school’s oil painting tradition. Kathy Hixon, the librarian at Wayside Elementary, received a grant for district-wide E-books to be shared across all six elementary schools to encourage reading in our youngest students, whether they are learning from home or in the classroom. Sandra Cloud and Tonya Knollmeyer, AP science teachers at Bartlesville High School, were awarded funds for force sensors and LEGO building blocks to equip students with visual ways to comprehend abstract concepts. Among the other grants were a class set of drones for the BPS Leadership Academy at Hoover elementary, expanded K’nex kits for high school physical science courses, and better equipment for Bartlesville High School’s broadcasting and yearbook.
In addition to the Classroom and Science Grants, BPSF accepts grants from teachers for Professional Growth (funding professional development opportunities) and Experts in Residence (bringing experts to Bartlesville to work with students) year around. This fall, these grants were awarded to fund special education training for teachers district-wide, and to bring Samuel Briggs, a vocalist from Tulsa, back to the high school to share his experience with fine arts students.
For more information on these grants, other initiatives of BPSF, and how to support BPSF programs, contact BPSF executive director, Blair Ellis at 918-336-8600 ext 3523 or visit the BPSF’s website at bpsfoundation.org.