New help is available for cash-strapped Madison County schools.
A nonprofit organization has formed to help Madison County schools and educational endeavors in the community by giving “mini-grants” to teachers.
The Madison County Education Foundation (MCEF) evolved from the group’s pride in Madison County’s students and educators, according to a foundation news release. The leaders of the organization have deep concern regarding ongoing funding cuts to education by all levels of government.
The first annual election of the foundation’s officers was at its June 9 meeting at the Piedmont Episcopal Church parish house in downtown Madison.
The foundation’s new officers include:
*President Kathie O’Connor.
Its board members include:
*Dink Kreis.
Its honorary board members include:
*Kaaren Lynn Ray.
Madison County Public Schools Superintendent Matt Eberhardt and Boys and Girls Club of Madison County President Nan Coppedge are advisors to the foundation’s board.
Foundation reps say they are doing some exciting things. Leaders announced the first annual teacher “mini-grant” program for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. (“Mini-grants” are less than $500.) Applications for these grants are now being accepted. The deadline to apply for the fall grants is Sept. 16.
Grants in the amounts of up to $1,000 will be awarded in spring 2012. The applications for teachers are on its Web site at www.madisonedfoundation.org.
Also on the foundation’s Web site, it states priority will be given to grants that include a diverse population and serve the greatest number of students, provide a long-term benefit, creatively enhance the curriculum, promote collaboration between teachers, classrooms and disciplines and support a program or project with measurable results.
Board member Robert Legge said a mini-grant would be for an enrichment project that is “something above and beyond the normal curriculum.” For example, the mini-grant could go to buying musical instruments for a classroom, he said. A similar nonprofit organization called Headwaters in Rappahannock County has given out mini-grants to buy science lab equipment, GPS units, classroom library books, field trips and for CPR training, Legge added.
To recognize and honor Madison teachers and raise funds for its teacher grants program, the organization has also launched the Honor-a-Teacher Program.
“We think many individuals and families will appreciate this very meaningful way to express their appreciation to the outstanding teachers who have made a difference in their lives,” Foundation President Kathie O’Connor said.
For a donation of $25 or more, a donor can fill out a card naming the teacher to be honored and write a message to that teacher. The honored teacher will receive a formal card from the foundation providing the donor’s name, the donor’s message and a message from the foundation explaining that a gift has been made in his or her honor. The money will serve as a contribution to the fund for teacher grants. The specific dollar amount of the donation is not mentioned on the card sent to the teacher. Donor forms for the Honor-a-Teacher Program can be found on the Web site as well.
The foundation generates funds to:
*Support educational programs.
*Provide grants to students and teachers.
*Endow scholarships for county students
*Supplement publicly funded school physical infrastructure.
Also during its June 9 meeting, the group:
*Discussed working on a brochure to hand out at the July 12-16 Madison County Fair and Sept. 3 Taste of the Mountains street festival. “It seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up,” O’Connor said. Foundation reps will be at a special tent at the fair and possibly hand out books to children.
*Discussed getting photographs of students from the school system to use in their brochure and Web site.
*Voiced support for the work of Kaaren Lynn Ray, who is starting an afterschool choral program for middle school students at Wetsel Middle School and a summer arts program for fifth to eighth graders.
You can donate to the group by sending a check to Madison County Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1277, Madison, VA 22727. You can also e-mail the foundation for information at leadership@madisonedfoundation.org.
The group’s next scheduled meeting is set for 4 p.m. July 27 at the Piedmont Episcopal Church parish house. An ongoing regular meeting schedule will be announced later.
IF YOU GO
What: Madison County Education Foundation.
When: 4 p.m. July 27.
Where: Piedmont Episcopal Church parish house.
Info: Call President Kathie O’Connor at (540) 923-4131.
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