Palmyra School Foundation presents four grants
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by Susan Gard
Palmyra School
Foundation
While the original intent when the Palmyra School Foundation was created was to offer a way for people to give money to the school and also receive a tax exemption, that money would not be part of the school budget and thus allow for projects outside of that budget.
It did not take long for the focus to shift from tax exemption to children and classroom needs. It also did not take long for funds to be received for enhanced classroom instruction.
The foundation became committed to placing money in the classroom for innovative opportunities for children.
Aron Knocke, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Palmyra High School has been chosen for the 2023 Warren and Katherine Head Memorial Grant. She will use the $800 grant to purchase a Sawgrass Sublimation Printer. The printer will give her students hands-on experience with current workplace technology. A sublimation printer allows students to create, design, print, market and sell items made in the classroom. Her goal is to enhance and increase confidence in problem solving, time management and communication skills.
That commitment was to award three grants to teachers via a one-page application requesting funding for something they felt was missing in their classroom.
Mikkah Johnson, a third grade teacher, is receiving one of the 2023 Palmyra School Foundation Grants. She will use grant money to purchase manipulative materials that explore math concepts with an active, hands-on approach. Manipulatives intrigue and motivate while helping students learn.
Nichole Gard, PACE (gifted and talented second through eighth grades) instructor will receive one of the 2023 Palmyra School Foundation Grants. She will use her grant money to purchase activities and games that focus on reasoning and logic skills. These activities aid in problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills.
Stacey Conrad the high school librarian is receiving a 2023 Palmyra School Foundation Grant. The grant will purchase new manga materials for the library. Her purchases will provide increased reading options to improve literacy by encouraging students to read their preferred genres, to read more and to read styles they might not otherwise consider.
That commitment was further extended because of funds set aside by the sons of Warren and Katherine Head for a memorial grant in their name to be given each year specifically to “inspire and enable students to achieve their full potential to succeed and positively impact their communities.”
This allowed for four yearly grants.
The Foundation’s ultimate goal, while beginning to build an endowment for future needs and scholarships, is to provide more than the original three grants each year.
This year’s grants were presented last Thursday morning to each of the teachers submitting applications. Every application was fully funded.
There is no greater satisfaction and joy than walking into a classroom full of children and presenting their teacher with a check for new and exciting educational materials.
These classrooms look so different from the classrooms most of our donors attended. The learning environment is very interactive. That students are being stretched to achieve their full potential is evident.
This year’s Palmyra Foundation grants will provide additional printed materials for the high school library, critical thinking games and activities for the PACE program in both the elementary and middle schools, and math manipulatives for an elementary classroom.
The Warren and Katherine Head Memorial Grant will purchase a sublimation printer to give family and consumer science students opportunities for creating using technology.
Each of these opportunities is possible due to giving by this community and the school’s alumni.
Money has been given with the greater good of kids at heart. Tax exemption has been secondary.
The well known and often used African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” certainly rings true as shown by the wide support the foundation has received.
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