Pearland ISD Progress Magazine Issue 4 | June 2018 | Page 20

High Five Celebration! Foundation commemorates five years of giving, awards over $100,000 to Pearland ISD educators From outdoor learning and cultural art to cutting-edge math and science technology, Pearland ISD Education Foundation awarded $106,075 for “outside-the-box” classroom ideas during its annual Surprize Patrol, held May 23 - 25. Thanks to continued support from annual donations and fundraising events, including the Grown-up Spelling Bee and Evening for Education Gala, the foundation was able to award its largest amount of giving. For the 2018-19 school year, 65 innovative teaching grants were awarded with four projects selected to receive over $4,000. New this year, an Adopt-A-Grant Sponsorship Program was offered to connect community donors with specific grant projects. Reinventing the Wheel, a grant written by Jamison Middle School teacher Vanessa Feldshau to purchase technology in math intervention classes, was funded by Bayway Chevrolet. Throughout Surprize Patrol, foundation board directors and district administrators, along with Dawson and Pearland high school bands, visited campuses to deliver grant recipient awards to the winners. The week was dubbed a “High Five Celebration” as the organization marked five years of giving. Since 2014, the foundation has collectively awarded 233 projects with over $344,000 in grant funds. “We have seen significant growth in innovative education over the past five years,” Chief Foundation Officer Natalie Clogston said. “Through continued contributions and support, such as the Adopt-A-Grant sponsors, we will be able to carry out our mission of enriching teaching and inspiring learning in Pearland ISD classrooms.” 20 | PROGRESS