2008 Grants to Educators Program

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Plano ISD Education Foundation Prize Patrol Surprises 111 Educators with Monetary Grants for 56 Innovative Instructional Programs

Thursday, November 13, 2008:   The “Cowboy Civic Leadership Round Up” government initiative at Carpenter Middle School, the “S’More Success Writing Camp” at Beverly Elementary School, the “Project-Connect: Makuleke, South Africa” at Hendrick Middle School, and “The Dinner Club” restaurant excursion for autistic students at Wyatt Elementary School are among the innovative programs that were be funded for Plano Independent School District students as a result of surprise monetary grants awarded to 111 teachers on Thursday, November 13.

Sponsored by the Plano ISD Education Foundation Grants to Educators Program, the Prize Patrol made surprise morning visits to 111 Plano ISD teachers at a number of campuses to award $66,800 in grants. The grants will fund 56 innovative instructional programs.

Meet the 2008-09 grant winners and read about their winning grant projects.

The Prize Patrol, including Foundation board members, program sponsors, district staff, and parent leaders, travelled throughout the 100 square mile district in six cars courtesy of Park Place Lexus. As part of the surprise visits, each honoree was presented a special badge proclaiming his/her selection as a 2008 grant recipient. Each grant winner’s school was presented a poster for display throughout the year. Some 111 educators were recognized throughout the morning.

The Plano ISD Education Foundation Grants to Educators program is intended to help Plano ISD educators enhance instruction in schools and classrooms across the district. Earlier in the school year, teachers had the opportunity to complete applications for grants for programs for their classes, schools or joint programs at multiple schools.

Grant Committee Chairman Lori Heil said, "Because school districts are unable to fund all instructors’ needs, teachers frequently dip into their own pockets to enhance instruction in their schools and classrooms. The Plano ISD Education Foundation helps to fill this funding gap. We are proud to offer this competitive grant program to Plano ISD educators every fall. Plano ISD educators make our classrooms exciting places for students to learn."

The Foundation is awarding $66,800 in grants this year. Funding for the grants program comes from the following generous sponsors:  Park Place Lexus, Nortel, Plano ISD Council of PTAs, the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation and the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation. Since the Foundation’s inception more than $460,000 has been awarded to Plano ISD teachers through the Grants to Educators program.

Plano ISD Education Foundation Board President Ralph Stow added, "The Foundation is pleased to assist our teachers by funding important programs they have designed to enhance student learning. The Grants to Educators program is one of the best ways that private dollars can support outstanding classroom instruction by educators across Plano ISD."

Each Park Place Lexus car took five to seven Prize Patrol volunteers to visit a selected number of campuses for the surprise presentations. These volunteers met first for a Prize Patrol kick-off coffee at the Park Place Lexus showroom in Plano.

Prize Patrol volunteers included PISD Trustee Missy Bender; Foundation board members Keith Braley, Mitch Bramlett, Rob Sumner (also representing donor Park Place Lexus), Rick Dunham, Rebecca Egelston-Caso,Robin Joseph-Williams, Joa Muns, Bart Ridley, Kelly Palmer, Lisa Raskin; program donors Carole Greisdorf, Cara Mendelsohn and Dana Bilbray of the Plano ISD Council of PTAs, Shaheen Salam of the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, Connie Owens of Central Market; and numerous Plano ISD staff members. 

This year’s grant program was chaired by Foundation director and Nortel sponsor representative Lori Heil. Volunteer judges included Foundation board members Rick Dunham, Rebecca Egelston-Caso, Robin Joseph-Williams, Bart Ridley, Sam Stricklin, and Olga Vargas-Lester; seven community volunteers from the Plano ISD Council of PTAs; Plano ISD Teachers of the Year and Teaching Excellence awardees, and Plano ISD curriculum staff.

The Plano ISD Education Foundation celebrates its sixteenth year of operation, having raised almost $4 million to benefit Plano schools. The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds priority programs identified by the school district for which tax dollars are not available. Programs funded by the Foundation enhance student learning; recruit, retain and recognize the very best teachers; or address critical needs of students and families so that all students can be successful.

Grants are also funded through the Plano ISD Education Foundation Parent and Community Honor Roll annual fund drive, the Plano ISD employee campaign, and Ski Plano, an annual winter fundraising event open to the public. This year’s Ski Plano event will be held on January 31, 2009, at Southfork Ranch. For additional information about the Foundation or to make a donation, visit the Foundation Web site at http://foundation.pisd.edu or call (469) 752-8272.

Special thanks to our sponsors: