Last Thursday may have been a gray and dreary day outside, but in the halls of Royse City ISD campuses the smiles and faces shone brightly.
The Royse City ISD Education Foundation gave over $29,400 in teacher grants during this first year of their development.
The Foundation Grant Patrol paraded onto campuses with balloon bouquets, big checks and cheers to present teachers with their grant award.
“It was such an awesome day for all those involved and the foundation has more money to give away,” said Jo Nell Mellody, RCISD community relations director.
Beginning in the 2010-11 school year, in order to give teachers more time to set up their grant projects, the Foundation will call for grants on Sept. 1, 2010. The deadline to submit grants to the foundation office will be Oct. 1.
“So teachers, this summer put on your thinking caps and get ready to apply for your chance to win,” Mellody said.
The Royse City ISD Education Foundation will resume their fund raising efforts next fall to continue making innovative and creative programs a reality for Royse City ISD teachers and students.
There were 16 grants awarded, with 50 teachers associated with those grants. The grant programs will inspire creative and innovative learning for 1,787 students.
The mission of Royse City ISD’s foundation is “To generate and distribute resources to the Royse City ISD to enrich teaching, inspire learning and advance innovative and creative programs needed to meet the District’s state mission of excellence in education.”
It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt public corporation which operates independently under a board of directors of three-year terms, who serve without compensation.
First introduced to the RCISD Board of Trustees by Superintendent Randy Hancock in November 2008, the foundation officially got underway with a meeting of 35 Royse City alumni and supporters that was held last Feb. 18 at the First United Methodist Church of Royse City.
At that time a goal of $100,000 was set at that time. The goal was reached as the district held its founder’s appreciation dinner in November 2009.
