The City Schools Foundation distributed over $62,000 in grants to teachers in October, with an additional $5,000 grant for indigent care. Thirty-three grants were selected for funding for the 2022-23 school year. The Foundation asks educators from Murfreesboro City Schools to submit proposals for funding that will help them acquire resources not ordinarily provided by taxpayer dollars.
“It is always incredible to see the grant requests we receive each year. The grants ranged from ukuleles and cooking to sensory rooms and Legos,” says David Scott, Grant Committee Chair and Board Chair, The City Schools Foundation. “Reading the grants opens the eyes of our committee to the extraordinary learning happening within the classrooms.”
Grants are submitted anonymously and are judged on their merit by a committee. The funding for grants ranged from $154 for Pawz the Calming Pup to Coding at Future Jobs at $9,988.
The Foundation funded several grants this year focusing on social and emotional learning. Social and emotional learning aims to help students better understand their thoughts and emotions, to become more self-aware and to help develop empathy for others. Developing these qualities helps students with their ability to handle stress and distractions.
Grants also covered many aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.) STEAM-based education teaches children more than science and mathematics concepts. STEAM teaching focuses on hands-on learning with real-world applications including creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.
Trustees for The City Schools Foundation include David Scott, Kimberly Robertson, Joe Faiz, Justin Burris, Stephanie Roach, Kimberly Robertson, Vicki Eastham, Ellen Slicker, Andrew Young, Essence Briscoe, James Calder, Katherine Layman and Robin Bayne. Additionally, Dr. Trey Duke and School Board Member Wesley Ballard serve as non-voting members of the Foundation.
The City Schools Foundation is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Chartered in 2005, the Foundation was created by volunteers from the community who wanted to supplement the resources available to the Murfreesboro City Schools System. More information can be found at www.cityschoolsfoundation.com.