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From literacy resources to teacher training, the Henrico Education Foundation's latest grants will empower students with creative, evidence-based ways to learn. The foundation has selected 11 classroom projects to receive a total of $34,759 in the second round of its Innovation Grants for 2017-18. The foundation expects the funded projects to affect more than 9,700 students, teachers and family members. The Henrico School Board voted to accept the funds on Jan. 25.
Henrico teachers and administrators apply for the annual grants to fund new projects with strong academic goals that aim to narrow the achievement gap and improve student engagement. The resulting programs and project-based initiatives let students explore real-world problems and challenges.
Among the 11 grant applications receiving funds are:
• $1,500 for an autoclave machine at Mills Godwin High School's medical sciences specialty center. Autoclaves are used in the medical field to sterilize medical devices and other substances.
• $1,000 for Ridge Elementary School to create a live cam for students and families to observe the hatching and development of baby chicks, aiding in the study of biology and life cycles.
• $8,000 for a pilot program at Donahoe, Laburnum and Montrose elementary schools to help teachers learn more techniques for engaging in positive ways with students.
• Funds for literacy resources to help Crestview and Rivers Edge elementary schools reach their goal of all students reading on grade-level by third grade.
To see details about the 11 grants, go to henricogives.org, then click on "Grants" and then "Cycle 2."
The annual grants are announced by semester. The fall round provided $71,925 for 13 projects, bringing the foundation's grant total for 2017-18 to a record-setting $113,684. Since 2014-15, the foundation has increased grant funding by 64 percent, providing more than $345,000 in funding for Innovation Grants for 81 projects.
The Henrico Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides additional funding for public education and works with parents, teachers and administrators to identify and develop initiatives that improve school performance and student achievement.
Disclosure: Brookland District School Board member Bev Cocke is employed as a business development manager by T3 Media, LLC, the parent company of the Henrico Citizen.
