School foundation touts programs, honors donors

~ The foundation has narrowed its focus since organizing in 1997.

Twenty-four-hundred dollars can go a long way toward helping children read.

Last September, Clippard Elementary teacher Jill Wittenborn was awarded a $2,400 Public Teachers Grant from the Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation to start a monthly family reading night. On that night, teachers and parents read with their second-grade students. She also gave out books to each student who participated.

Wittenborn shared her success stories Wednesday at a luncheon to honor grant recipients and financial contributors to the foundation.

She was one of 11 teachers awarded a grant.

"I think that the foundation has been a great help in allowing teachers to better serve their students in the classrooms," she said at the luncheon, held at the Buckner Brewing Co. "It's a great organization."

The Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation was organized in 1997 and originally funded a broad spectrum of school projects. The foundation now focuses only on those that are "innovative, creative learning projects," said foundation president Stacy Kinder.

Teachers who wish to apply for a grant must attend a workshop on grant criteria, explain their proposed project and answer questions as to why they would be a good grant recipient.

Last year, 28 teachers applied, but only 11 were awarded grants, some with only partial funding. Kinder said that as the foundation grows it will be better able to award grants to additional teachers in the future. But she warns that selecting grant applicants is "a careful, detailed process. We are looking for projects that will inspire students to learn."

Foundation partners recognized at the Wednesday luncheon include Rust Communications, parent company of the Southeast Missourian. With a contribution of $25,000 or more, the company was recognized as a Legacy Partner.

The foundation also recognized McDonald's, which sponsors a monthly McTeachers Night. The next McTeachers night will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21. Twenty-five percent of that night's revenue will be donated to the foundation, Kinder said.

"It is something we are very appreciative of," she said.

Additional partners include the Kiwanis Club, Cape Radiology Associates, Big River Telephone, Plaza Tire, and individual and anonymous contributors.

Wittenborn said she appreciates the foundation and the contributions of its area partners.

"Without this grant, we would not have been able to provide [the materials] needed for the family reading night," she said. "This program has helped make the parent-teacher connection that is so important in schools today. It really has been a great thing for the students."

aweeks@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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The Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation has awarded 11 Public Teacher Grants. These grants are to be used in an academic setting to enhance students' learning experience. The grants and their projects are listed below:

$550, Central High: For typing software to be used by students who need additional keyboard practice after school.

$551, Clippard Elementary: To help second- and fourth-graders achieve a 26.2-mile marathon day. The project includes both physical and academic activities.

$980, Junior High: To promote and improve student interest in science by hosting a local "Science Olympiad" tournament.

$1,000, Career & Technology Center: To support the school's efforts to expose students to real-life experiences.

$1,625.40, Clippard Elementary: For the purchase of standing hand drums to be used in the school's current curriculum.

$1,985, Central Middle: An interdisciplinary project that includes science, social studies, research skills, language and global awareness.

$2,000, Central High: For the purchase of library and other materials to help minority students achieve better racial inclusion and intellectual stimulation.

$2,400, Clippard Elementary: For the hosting of second-grade monthly family reading nights for the development of better comprehension skills.

$3,000, Clippard Elementary: For the purchase of content area trade books to be used in curriculum objectives such as math, health and the sciences.

$3,000, Alma Schrader Elementary: For the purchase of content area trade books to be used in curriculum objectives such as math, health and the sciences.

$3,318, Central High: To aid students in the development of better grammar skills, including fluency in languages taught.