The deadline for submitting applications for McAllen Education Foundation grants has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2004.  Links to the necessary grant applications can be found below.  A list of descriptions for every grant funded by the McAllen Education Foundation since the organization's inception is also included as a reference.

APPLICATIONS

VIDEOS:

DEADLINE:

DESCRIPTIONS:

McAllen Education Foundation Grants

1997-98

AGRICULTURE IN ACTION  A project designed for 4th and 5th grade students.  In August, the students will learn about the rich history and importance of Valley agriculture.  They will then be transformed into farmers, planting and tending a garden on campus, ultimately harvesting their crops.  The students will then sample their products before donating the goods to the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank.

BOOK BACKPACK BUDDIES  A project for 2nd grade students that will encourage children and parents to read together as a family.  A 2nd grade "buddy" takes a backpack book home to read with his/her parents.  They then discuss what they read and students record those discussions in their journals as part of the project.

PROJECT FAMILY HISTORIES  In this special project, next year's 5th graders will learn directly from an author-in-residence about the fascinating world of writing and how they can gather information and write stories about their own family history.  The students will have those stories published and displayed at various locations around the city!

FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING  A project designed for special education students ages 6 - 9.  Starting in August, the students will plan and then build structures using wooden blocks.  They will then review their construction project for the class.  "Foundation For Learning" will help them develop hand-eye coordination and improve their communication skills.

THE GULF OF GONZALEZ  A project designed for 2nd grade students to extend South Padre Island to north McAllen.  Starting in August, the little marine biologists will visit the Island, hear from guest speakers, collect seashells, and prepare reports on their findings.  The project culminates with a "Gulf of Gonzalez" exhibit on campus, displaying the life cycles of marine life!

HEALTHY CHOICES  A project designed to  increase the awareness of 2nd graders of the benefits of good nutrition.  Beginning in October, students will take part in a ten-week education program that includes exercise and making smart food choices.  Activities include various field trips, planning family lunches, and providing a newsletter to parents.

KITCHEN ON WHEELS  A project for 2nd grade and self-contained special education students.  In September, students will roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, following recipe directions and learning about ingredient measurements.  After creating their baked goods from scratch, the kids will write, design, and distribute advertising flyers for a bake sale.  The sale itself will provide a learning environment as the students add and subtract, and make change for each sale.

PROJECT PRICKLY PEAR  A project designed to familiarize gifted 3rd graders with the plants and minerals indigenous to our area and acquaint them with the colorful and diverse history of the people.  The project includes a field trip to Zapata, where fossils, artifacts, and mineral specimens will be collected.  The students will also create a crystal garden to learn how they form, including the nature of crystal patterns and structures.

PROJECT ON RAMP A project designed for 1st grade students and those on the student council.  The on ramp leads to the information superhighway, where the students will utilize computers to access the Internet and create a classroom web site.  The students will participate in nationwide polls, contests, and other activities via the Internet and also use it for research on a class project.

PROJECT UPLINK  A project designed for  every student which will help design a web page for their classroom and use it to display their work and messages.  A campus web page will also be created, along with an e-mail system that will allow parents as well as students from around the world to interact with McAuliffe students!

READERS BOOKSTORE  A project designed for 1st grade bilingual students to enhance reading skills, and understand the concept of money and the exchange of goods.  Starting this September, the students will earn "coins" through reading and use those coins to buy books from the classroom store.

SCIENCE IN SPACE  A project that will enable Milam Science Club members in the 3rd through 5th grades to construct model rockets, design and build models of future space settlements, and observe our solar system during a field trip to a planetarium!

SCIENCE OF FLIGHT  A project designed for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.  Starting in September, students will study the basic physics of flight and apply that knowledge as they construct model airplanes, rockets, kites, and even a space shuttle!  The students will also visit the local airport to learn about the various careers in the aviation industry.

SCIENCE ON THE GO  A project designed for 5th grade students to combine science and nature in a hands-on approach.  Beginning in August, students will go on field trips to the Gladys Porter Zoo and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge to increase awareness for their animal themed science lesson.  The students will then begin collecting information from various sources and observe living and preserved specimens.  The project culminates with a presentation to students and staff based on their research.

SCIENCE WITH ANIMALS  A project designed for 4th grade gifted and talented students to understand more about the life cycles and habits of animals.  Starting in May, students will learn about the care and feeding of animals and observe animal behavior.  The project also includes the building of habitats to observe certain animals in their natural surroundings.

SPOTLIGHT ON SHAKESPEARE  A project designed for 5th grade students to meet William Shakespeare.  In May, production of A Midsummer Night's Dream begins.  Students will ready the play, design the costumes, props, and scenery, rehearse, and perform for Rayburn students, faculty, and parents.

LANDMARKS PROJECT  A project designed for 7th grade students enrolled in Composition.  Starting in October, students will identify, photograph, and write about places they consider "landmarks" in their community.  The students will receive training from a professional photographer and display their project at the McAllen Public Library and on campus.

PROJECT ENDANGERED SPECIES  A project designed for 6th grade students.  Not only will the students study various endangered animals, they will create and illustrate books for children on the subject.  The project includes a field trip to Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville and visiting a nearby elementary school to share their books with the children!

A NOVEL APPROACH  A project designed for English II and World History Honors sophomores.  Beginning in September, students enrolled in both classes will study literature with a historical context.  A field trip to the Medieval/Renaissance Festival at the Hidalgo County Historical Museum will be a key part of the students' study of two novels from that time in world history.

PROJECT CAREER CHOICE  A project designed for La Vista students.  The project calls for students to develop an understanding of job opportunities in our area.  The students will take field trips to the McAllen Free Trade Zone to talk with company managers, tour South Texas Community College for training availability, and role play job interview techniques

FOOD FOR THOUGHT  A project designed for students in the Freshman Academic team.  Beginning in January, the students will research the importance of good nutrition and explore what guides their current nutritional choices.  The students will then learn to read and understand food labels, keep a journal of their findings, and determine a new, healthy eating plan.

PROJECT MARINE LIFE  A project designed for all science students.  The project calls for students to conduct research rare marine biology specimens which will be kept on campus in an aquarium.  The specimens have been donated to the science department and are valued at $10,000.  The students will prepare brochures on the research and use computers for their assignments.

THE ODYSSEY  A project designed for English I students which only begins with the reading of the classic work by Homer.  This "odyssey" includes spending the day on the sea aboard a large sailboat, where students will spend time performing galley duties, rigging sails, steering, taking water samples, and studying compass headings.  The project will be photographed and presented to elementary students throughout the District.

DESTINATION:DNA  A project designed for Biology II students.  The biotechnology workshop is intended to increase the awareness and understanding of DNA technology and its uses in the workplace.  The lessons will include DNA modeling, function, and application and will conclude with a field trip to the Mission Bio-control Center.

THE EXPERT CONNECTION  A project designed for advanced Theater Arts students.  The purpose of the project is to link the students, through the use of technology, to experts in the field as they explore the American Method of acting.  The students will conclude their lesson by combining their research and conversations with experts in a project-ending performance!

ARTISTS IN ACTION  A project designed to expose students to the real life experiences of a freelance artist.  The students will design original works and silk screen their products on T-shirts for sale.  By the end of the project, students will have practical experience in designing, creating, and marketing their own works of arts.


 

1998-99

ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL  Head 'em up and move 'em out!  Forty-fourth graders will research and present an in-depth look at life in early Texas missions.  The students will use the internet, local museums and a variety of other resources to gather information for oral/written reports, and the construction of built-to-scale models. Students and teachers will then "blaze a trail" of their own as they get an up close and personal look at two San Antonio missions during a special road-trip.  The project will culminate with an "Early Life in Texas Day" where all Bonham students will enjoy authentic mission costumes, dishes and entertainment prepared by their own resident historians!

FOR THE BIRDS  Professional bird watchers look out...there’s some new competition coming to town!  Fifth grade students will research and share information on a variety of birds unique to the Rio Grande Valley and learn how to put it all to practical use.  They'll visit the Santa Ana and Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuges to document and observe birds (using binoculars and tape recorders) in their natural habitat.  Then, it's back to the classroom to build dioramas and wing span models, trace migration routes, and compile a comprehensive educational booklet full of fun facts.  The project is designed to encourage a life-long love and respect for our feathered friends.

HOT CHILE PEPPERS  Watch out...it's getting hot...hot…hot!  Forty-four third grade budding scientists will visit the Texas Department of Agriculture to learn how to properly plant and grow a variety of chiles in South Texas soil.  Enter a nursery expert who'll then show the students how to measure, design and plant a chile garden.  Students will care for the plants themselves and keep growth records using science process skills. The young gardeners will also chart a list of chiles from hottest to mildest, prepare reports on the health benefits of pepper eating, and collect recipes for their very own cookbook.  Grab a glass of water, this project is guaranteed to keep young minds sizzlin'!

PAPER CRANES FOR PEACE  Let there be peace on earth!  The book, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes will be used to educate more than eighty fourth and fifth graders about the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, and its devastating effects.  Students will be encouraged to share their feelings through essays, poems and an internet relationship with peers (quite possibly the descendants of many bombing survivors) at a Hiroshima school.  Participants will also learn the Japanese art of origami, so they may send paper cranes to their internet friends.  The cranes are meant to serve as a unique gesture of everlasting friendship and peace.  Japanese students will later place the origami at the foot of the Children's Monument in Hiroshima's Peace Park.

E2 ENTERPRISING ENTREPRENEURS  Great minds think alike, but even greater minds think for themselves!  The dynamic fifth grade teaching team will direct more than one hundred students in a hands-on study of the American free enterprise system.  Each class will form six companies, with each responsible for developing an original product for marketing and eventual sale.  Company executives will develop first-hand knowledge of the business world as they apply for loans from their teachers, purchase supplies for manufacturing, and maintain an expenditure log and balance sheet.  No experiment would be complete, however, without the responsibility of creating their own advertisements, testing product demand on fellow students and, of course, paying back the loan!  Who knows, these students could uncover a few million dollar ideas!

WATER MATTERS  Soak your mind in water awareness!  The environmentally conscious teaching team will incorporate books, science projects, and a variety of other resources into a month-long look at what water means in our everyday activities.  One hundred and thirty-two second graders will study the beloved Magic School Bus At The Waterworks book and view an entertaining video, to learn about basic water facts.  From there, it’s on to more complicated matters like using Jell-O to compare salt and freshwater, constructing a mini-aquifer, and discovering the secret behind using the wet stuff to make paper.  The City of McAllen Water Plant has also agreed to give a tour and show the students what happens to water before it reaches our homes.

BUSINESS WORLD 2000  Move over H. Ross Perot.  The world’s future business leaders are right on your heels!  Sixty fifth graders will be introduced to the joys and frustrations of creating their own businesses.  Students will use a book entitled, The Toothpaste Millionaire, coupled with a tour of Frost Bank, to kick off the venture.  Bankers and community business leaders will be on hand to introduce participants to life inside a lending department.  Fourteen student-run cooperatives will then take over the reins by developing a product idea, securing loan money, conducting market research, and launching an effective ad campaign.  The business world just keeps getting "smaller" and "smaller!"

CAM…CAM…CAMERA  Creativity begins with a spark of genius!  Author David Adler’s work will be used to introduce a first grade class to mystery writing.  Using a wide variety of his work, twenty-one students will learn how to identify and interpret setting, characters, problems, and solutions. The project will even be taken one step further, by encouraging children to organize and write their own stories for later publication.  The grant will also help purchase several cameras so the little ones can take photos to illustrate their books.  Say, "Cheese!"

PROJECT HOUSTONVILLE MICROSOCIETY PHASE II  Business is booming at Sam Houston Elementary School!  Educators will lead a group of fourth and fifth graders into an aggressive expansion of an already existing micro-society known as Houstonville.  The team will meet with adult community leaders throughout the Valley to recruit and establish new businesses, improve "government" services, and implement a genuine post office in their town.  They will then interview and work closely with younger students who will serve as postal employees.  It’s economic expansion at its best!

PROJECT PRIMROSE  Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!  McAuliffe Elementary takes steps to save the environment.   More than thirty-two third grade students will get their hands dirty researching, identifying and developing a letter writing campaign to encourage the preservation of native valley plants.  Participants will also visit city hall for a discussion on how rapid growth can impact the environment, and what they can do to help "recycle" canals and drainage ditches surrounding their school. Students will eventually begin phase I of a land beautification project.

OUR TWO LANDS DOWN UNDER  Log onto the internet, Australia is closer than you think!  An educator will work with a class of bilingual third graders to establish a computer friendship between Valley and Australian students.  The class will research their hometown and share the information with curious kids living down under.  Participants will compare both communities through extensive discussions on native plants and animals, oceans, and climates.  A digital camera will also be used to send pictures illustrating Australian and Valley life-styles back and forth.

UNDER THE SEA  Slip and slide...take a dive!  A teaching team will guide twenty-two students through a study of sea life and how man impacts their survival.  Creativity is the key as students design dioramas, fish mobiles, and author an original "pop-up" book.  A fifty gallon aquarium will even be installed in the classroom for students to chart the progress of their very own saltwater fish.  Grab your scuba gear.  These students are in for a "swimming" good time!

WHO WILL HELP ME BAKE THIS BREAD  Great grains! Harvest time is just around the corner.  More than two hundred kindergarten and first graders will trace the journey of a wheat seed from its planting to our kitchen tables.  Students will use a book entitled The Little Red Hen, along with several classroom gardens, to get a first hand look at the process.  They’ll also learn how to bake their own bread and watch as professional bakers "knead" some dough. We’re sure these little ones will all "rise" to the challenge!

WOW WIZARDS OF WATER  Water...water...everywhere!  The educator will work with a small group of students to answer the nagging question of just "where" our water comes from.  Together they’ll log onto the internet to conduct in-depth research, use pasta (yes, pasta?!!) to simulate a water delivery system and experiment on removing pollutants from a contaminated supply.  Not ones to just identify a problem and run, the class will also track their water usage over a given period of time then brainstorm conservation ideas.  Water...such a terrible thing to waste!

A TASTE OF THE VALLEY: BLACKBERRIES  Mmmm...mmmm...good!  The elementary teaching team will introduce forty-three fourth and fifth graders to the world of chemical, pesticide, and preservative free fruit.  The group will use the novel, A Taste of Blackberries, to learn some good ‘ol fashioned harvesting techniques.  Then, it’s off to the fields where they’ll pick and prepare fruit for dehydration and canning.  The project culminates with the publication of a cookbook full of recipes that include a variety of Valley fruits and vegetables.  Don’t forget the grapefruit pie!

ALONG THE TEXAS TRAIL  Happy trails to you!  One hundred and ten fourth graders will take an in-depth look at the true story behind Texas’ fight for independence including the events leading up to the Texas-Mexican War, revolution heroes, and the annexation of the Lone Star State.  Aside from classroom lessons, the grant will also fund a day trip to San Antonio’s Institute of Texas and the Imax Theatre.  There, the students will put their knowledge to the test as they watch a dramatic docudrama of the battle of the Alamo on a six-story tall screen.  What a way to "remember the Alamo!"

VALLEY WEATHER PHENOMENON  Accu-weather at its best!  The teaching team will lead sixty students and their parents into an exploration of weather phenomenon like "El Niño."  Students will use the internet, field trips and a variety of other resources to gather basic weather information for a bilingual weather monitoring kit.  Parents will be instructed on how to work with their children on recording and interpreting daily readings, as well as, developing a community action plan for dealing with severe weather.  Now, if they could only find a way to get rid of this humidity...

GONE TO TEXAS  Variety is the spice of life!  The middle school team of educators plan to have their students examine how a surge in immigration during the 1800’s changed the political, social and cultural climate of the Lone Star state.  More than 100 students will then take the project a step further by researching why this "blended" society led to revolution, and how talk of annexation often pitted neighbor against neighbor.  Along the way, they’ll learn how to do quilt, engage in lively debates, and make connections between population growth and Texas cattle and oil.

CLASSROOM STARGAZERS  Our future belongs to the stars!  One hundred and thirty sixth, seventh and eighth graders will use the internet to thoroughly research an assigned constellation.  Artistic license will then take center stage as students map out the universe on ceiling tiles.  Two hallways will eventually be filled with painted constellations and their corresponding mythological characters.  It's legacy that will surely "shine" on.

INTERDISCIPLINARY UNIT APOLLO 13 - SUCCESS  3-2-1 Blast-off!  Three hundred sixth graders will learn how to solve algebraic equations using ONLY a pencil and paper.  The students will focus on lessons learned during the Apollo 13 space mission to teach them to think on their feet when advanced technology fails.  Maybe they can fix that pesky little Y2K problem!

YOUNG ARCHITECTS  It’s the stuff dreams are made of!  A group of sixth graders will not only use ratios to design blueprints for their "dream" homes, they’ll also construct and exhibit built-to-scale 3-D models.  The concepts of area, perimeter, and estimation will be examined as a cornerstone of several math-based careers.

BULLDOG CAMP- A TRANSTIONAL ACTIVITY  "R...r...r...r...uffing" it out!  The counseling staff will design and implement a one-day freshman orientation program designed to give students a jump start on high school life.  Counselors will use everything from t-shirts to music as a means of generating a sense of belonging. Candid discussions with older students will also be used to get freshman talking about self-esteem, graduation goal, setting and conflict resolution. This is the second year "Bulldog Camp" has been funded by the Education Foundation.

SALUD - A McHIGH TRADITION  Stop the presses!  The educator will create a literary magazine authored entirely by creative teenage minds.  The publication will offer students a unique opportunity to market original artwork, poetry, essays, short stories, and photographs to a mass audience. Young artists will take an active involvement in all stages of the magazine’s preparation including advertising and sales.

PROJECT IMPACT  Success begins with me!  A counselor will establish a resource library specifically geared towards the school’s thirty-nine hearing impaired students.  A variety of material will be on hand to, among other things, help them develop stronger study skills, learn how to fill out job and college applications, and maintain healthy friendships.  A strong support base among hearing impaired students will also be heavily emphasized through guidance classes.

PROJECT CONNECT  Hooray for pen pals!  This unique program pairs "at-risk" Hispanic students with those on the other side of the world.  Forty letter writers will establish correspondence with Chinese students, in an attempt to learn more about foreign social structures.  Students will communicate via the internet and the more old fashioned way of pencil and paper.

SCIENCE IN THE REAL WORLD  Science saves lives!  The Options teaching team will focus their project on exposing "at-risk" students to situations in which scientific advancements are literally saving lives.  Participants will thoroughly research then visit three Corpus Christi sites: Driscoll Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Texas Aquarium. Students will get the chance to talk with cancer and burn victims, as well as observe scientific equipment at work.

POLAROID TO PAINT  Say, "cheese!"  The educator will teach more than one hundred students how artists use photography to help compose larger bodies of work.  Each person will learn to take Polaroids from different points of view, and translate the pictures onto a paint canvas. As an added bonus, the young artists walk away with a fully developed, original watercolor to hang on their walls.

TEACHING PHYSICS APPLICATIONS USING A SATELLITE DOWNLINK EARTH STATION  Houston...we have a downlink!  The physics teacher will peak student interest in space communication by helping one hundred young scientists set-up and operate a satellite downlink.  The downlink will enable them to observe the earth by collecting information on weather patterns, temperature variations and existing vegetation growth.  Infrared pictures of our planet will also be printed for display.  This is the second year that Mr. Luna has been awarded a Foundation grant.  Last years students build their own radio telescope, mounted it onto Rowe's rooftop, and used it to study the Milky Way Galaxy!

TRADES AND INDUSTRY: IS IT FOR ME?  Informed choices breed success! The high school teacher plans on introducing a small group of special education juniors and seniors to career opportunities offered within the Rio Grande Valley industrial labor market.  At-risk students will take numerous tours of manufacturing plants to better identify what careers they’d be interested in.  Participants will also aggressively seek hands on experience through job shadowing and plant partnership agreements.


 

1999 - 2000

Aspiring Thespians  All the world's a stage!  Fields Elementary’s Veronica Delgado and Gabriel Gutierrez have received an Education Foundation grant for "Aspiring Thespians."  The teaching team will create a project that promises to impact their fourth grade classes for years to come.  Delgado and Gutierrez will use the grant money to fund construction of two multi-purpose classroom lofts.  The wooden platforms will be used to mount theatrical productions, as well as serve as a comfortable reading area for sustained silent reading activities.  The ultimate purpose…to generate a lifetime of excitement for literary pursuits. (34 students 4th graders)

       
Books in a Basket  Reading is fundamental!  Fields Elementary’s Aurora Martinez has received an Education Foundation grant for her school-wide project "Books in a Basket."  Martinez envisions a school where book baskets abound in every hallway.  The idea…to encourage students to pick up books before class and during their down time.  Classical and motivational tapes will also be piped throughout the school to create a comfortable atmosphere for the children.  Shhhh…reading in progress!  (340 students PK -5)

       
Flat Stanley's Postal Adventures  Return to sender!  Lettie Arguelles, Belia Hinojosa, and Sandra Sims have been awarded an Education Foundation grant for "Flat Stanley's Postal Adventures."  The Garza Elementary educators will teach third graders about the inner-workings of the U.S. post office through the travels of the famous literary character Flat Stanley.  Each child will create his own Flat Stanley paper doll, fold him up, and mail him off to pen pals around the country.  Each person who comes into contact with the doll will write a short story about what he saw, who he met, and what he did.  The compositions will eventually create a scrapbook of memories for each child and a clearer understanding of what the world has to offer.  Now, if only he could speed up the mail...(72 students 3rd grade)

       
Passport Through Fairy Tale Land  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, A.Kalifa, M. Garcia, A. Torres, R. Smith, R. Mandes, and N. Cruz were awarded an Education Foundation grant for “Passport Through Fairy Tale Land.”  The Garza Elementary teaching team will serve as tour guides for 140 kindergarteners on an exploration of fairy tales come to life.  The children will go beyond just reading the classics when they make costumes to take part in dramatizations, use graphs to compare/contrast different versions, grow bean stalks to chart their growth patterns, and make porridge.  This is one project that’s sure to have a “happy” ending!   (140 students K)      

Sidewalk Learning  Who wants to be a…game show contestant?  Sandra Sims at Garza Elementary has been awarded an Education Foundation grant for “Sidewalk Learning.”  She and the school’s third graders will design and paint a giant, outdoor board game that will eventually be used by students throughout the school.  Educators will have the opportunity to bring Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science skills to life through this high energy, interactive approach.  The game board is designed to accommodate a variety of games, while providing students with a fun opportunity to apply and practice academic skills, learn the importance of teamwork, and demonstrate good sportsmanship.  They won’t win a million dollars but they will learn a few things money just can’t buy.  (23 students 3rd grade)

       
The Grizzly Gourmet  Lights, camera, action!  Gonzalez Elementary's Barbara Salinas has won an Education Foundation grant for "The Grizzly Gourmet."  She and 130 first graders will "spice-up" their lessons by creating, producing, and video taping their very own cooking show.  Students will research recipes, design and build their own set, and prepare their chosen foods before an audience of their peers.  The project gives students a chance to practice higher-level thinking skills such as following directions, organization, time-management, and teamwork.  Parents with expertise in the food industry will also serve as speakers and consultants.  This is one project guaranteed to taste gggggreat! (130 students 1st grade)

       
VOTE 2000 Ask not what your country can do for you...!  Gonzalez Elementary's Janet Bosch has been awarded an Education Foundation grant for "VOTE 2000."  Bosch will lead her fifth grade G.T. class into an in-depth study of the American Presidential process.  They'll then hit both campus hallways and the streets to raise voter awareness for the upcoming Presidential election.  The project will culminate with a school-wide mock election coinciding with the national elections in November.  Who said politics is boring? (25 students - 5th grade)

       
What do Soybeans Want to be When they Grow Up? Soybeans...they aren't just for cooking anymore!  Gonzalez Elementary's Debra Schiller has received an Education Foundation grant for "What do Soybeans Want to be When they Grow Up?"  Schiller and her fifth grade class will visit the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Rio Farms to learn how agricultural experimentation, specifically with soybeans, can result in the use of alternative, renewable natural resources.  Taking a cue from scientists, Schiller's class will also conduct and document tests on the soybean when used as a primary ingredient in ink, glue, lip balm, cream, and crayons.  The job opportunities for soybeans are endless.  The results will be shared with fellow students in grades 1-3.  (125 students - 5th grade)

       
ROBOT-00 It's raining robots! Milam Elementary's Susan Jensen has received an Education Foundation grant for "ROBOT-00" (Robot Double Aught).  Jensen and more than one hundred first graders will use language, math, and hands-on science exploration techniques to build their own robots.  The students will begin studying their futuristic friends by reading books about the inner workings of machines and robots, writing, editing, and illustrating their own literary masterpieces, ultimately building their robots from scratch.  The project will culminate with a fieldtrip to observe robots at work in the real world.  Here's hoping our kids can build a robot that does windows! (140 students -1st grade)

       
Taste of the Valley II Five fruits and vegetables a day keep the doctor away!  For the second year in a row Rayburn Elementary's Rosie Alfaro and Melissa Garza have received an Education Foundation grant.  The team will lead fifty-one students in "Taste of the Valley II," a study of natural processes used to preserve Valley citrus and agricultural products.  Students will read about blackberries, take part in a harvesting fieldtrip, and prepare fruit for eventual dehydration, canning, and juice extraction all without using chemicals or harmful preservatives.  Not ones to keep these healthy techniques a secret, the kids will publish an original cookbook chock full of blackberry and grapefruit recipes.  Smuckers has nothing on these kids! (51 students) 

       
Exploring Culture through Literature The art of storytelling lives among us!  Wilson Elementary’s Lupita Nava, Ninfa Zayas, Norma Earnest, and Veronica Champion received an Education Foundation grant for "Exploring Culture through Literature."  The talented team will lead five hundred children in an exploration of the beauty of live storytelling.  Students will cap off "Children's Book Week" by bringing in a professional storyteller to share literary classics from around the world.  The project is designed to encourage children to use oral and written expression, as well as create an appreciation of different cultures. (500 studetns - Pre K)      

Earn-Spend-Save A penny saved is indeed a penny earned!  Gonzalez Elementary’s Debbie Morrow and Susan Garcia have received an Education Foundation grant for "Earn-Spend-Save."  The innovative team will guide 100 kindergarteners through the basics of currency and economic principals such as supply and demand.  Their little ones will learn how to count pennies, nickels, and dimes before moving on to the big time and starting their very own hallway store.  Of course, money doesn’t grow on trees at Gonzalez, so the kids will have to earn their "store bucks" by modeling appropriate behavior, manners, and responsibility.  Maybe they can even guarantee a few loans.(100 students K)

       
Gone to Texas  Head ‘em up and move ‘em out!  For the second year in a row, Brown Middle School’s William Ashley, Patricia Banda, Debbi Benson, Diana Blanco, Melissa Groetsch, Guillermo Guzman, Amber Lohr, and Liza Yebra have received an Education Foundation grant for “Gone to Texas.”   The eight person teaching team will lead the school’s entire seventh grade class in an intense, two-month study of the events and people leading to Texas statehood.  They will specifically examine how a surge in immigration during the 1800’s changed the political, social, and cultural climate of the Lone Star State.  More than 100 students will then take the project a step further by researching why this “blended” society sparked a revolution.  Their journey promises to be a long ride across the prairie as they engage in role playing, compare modern medical practices to those used during the revolution, research fossil fuels, and take a ride on the Los Ebanos Ferry for a look at old fashioned transportation methods.  Yeeeehawwww! Ya’ll come down and see us sometime, ya hear?(130 students 7th grade)

       
Book Drive One man’s junk is another man’s treasure!  De Leon Middle School’s Juan Garza, Kay Perez, Catharine Vela, Pat Padron, Ruth Garza, and Blanca Probasco have received an Education Foundation grant for “Book Drive.”  The 6th grade Jaguar teaching team plans to involve more than 100 kids in a school-wide fundraiser.  Students will spend several weeks soliciting books from outside sources for the effort.  They’ll then sell the “gently used” literary works to classmates as a way to raise money for a class fieldtrip.  The Jaguar team hopes to give kids an inexpensive way to purchase new books, while promoting a life-time of learning.

       
Club ED Success begins with me!  McAllen High School’s counseling staff has received an Education Foundation grant for “Club Ed: A Recovery Program for At Risk-9th Graders.”   Counselors will create an intricate support system for students who failed their freshman year, and who are in need of additional academic and emotional support in order to succeed.  The program primarily focuses on breaking the “cycle of failure” before these students dropout or get lost in the system.  It will accomplish these goals by utilizing teachers as mentors, counselors as skills facilitators, peer leaders as role models and academic tutors, and by mandating parental participation.  Together, these groups will join forces to supply students with positive reinforcement, self-esteem boosts, career exploration activities, and long-term goal setting techniques. (25 - 80 students )

       
The World In Motion An object in motion…!  Nikki Rowe High School’s Jeanette LaFevers has received an Education Foundation grant for “The World In Motion.”  LaFevers and more than 200 sophomores, juniors, and seniors will put Einstein’s physics theories to the test by videotaping objects in motion, then digitizing their movements via computer.  Students plan to use the “World in Motion” software to analyze and graph the motion, as a means of better understanding how objects react to movement.  Their ultimate goal…to create a multimedia presentation of all captured motions.  Let’s get “movin’!” (200-250 students)    

Health Science Summer Institute (HSSI) It’s never too early!  Memorial High School’s Elizabeth Arredondo has received an Education Foundation grant for “Health Science Summer Institute (HSSI).  Arredondo, a CATE counselor, will lead 20 students through an intense one-week evaluation of potential medical careers.  The students will spend time in a local hospital receiving instruction in a variety of fields including, nursing, radiology, and respiratory therapy.  They’ll then have a rare opportunity to put their knowledge to practical use through interaction with actual patients.  Students will not only walk away with a greater understanding of medical careers, they’ll also receive their CPR certification.(9th - 10th grade)

       
Mustang Camp 2000 Makin’ the grade!  Memorial High School’s Doris Rawls has received an Education Foundation grant for “Mustang Camp 2000.”  Rawls will head a freshman orientation program designed to ease the emotional, mental, and academic transition to high school.  Pony Camp will focus on empowerment, positive peer influence, and goal setting through unique communication and relationship building activities.  Saddle up.  It’s going to be a smooth ride!(699 students 9th grade)

       
Xeriscape Escape Can you dig it?  Memorial High School’s Felipe Reyes and Andrew Prukop have received an Education Foundation grant for “Xeriscape Escape.”  Reyes, the CATE Lead Teacher, and Prukop, an agricultural science educator, will lead 450 students in the building of a Xeriscape courtyard.  The area will function as home to dozens of native plant species found throughout the Rio Grande Valley.  Agriculture and biology students plan to utilize the area as a “living” laboratory for the study of taxonomy and plant structures.  Additionally, members of the schools FFA Chapter will provide upkeep of the courtyard as part of an on-going service project.  Mother Nature would be proud! (450 students 9-12th grade)      

Resurrecting Day of the Dead Remembering the dead.  Options in Education High School’s Anna Chavarria has received an Education Foundation grant for “Resurrecting Day of the Dead.”  Chavarria and her art students will partner with community organizations for an examination of the traditional Mexican “Day of the Dead” activities.  Together, they will create a wide variety of artwork, including papier-mâché pieces, sculptures, prints, and paintings, representative of the celebration. The project will culminate with a trip to two San Antonio museums to visit the city’s permanent Day of the Dead exhibits.  Chavarria hopes her students will pass on the knowledge they gain for generations to come.(20 students 9th-12th grade)       

HILD Students are Authors Look out Dr. Seuss…there are some new writers in town!  McAllen High School’s Paulette Gindler-Bishop has received an Education Foundation grant for "HILD Students are Authors."  Gindler-Bishop and 55 ESL students will embark on a journey of literary genius, by penning their very own children’s books.  The students will write, illustrate, and publish one of a kind stories aimed at elementary school-aged children.  They’ll then visit a select few lower grade classes to read and share their work with both primarily English speaking and bilingual children.  The project will emphasize writing skills, as well as the importance of reaching out to younger students.  All authors will receive a professionally bound edition of their work to remind them of their literary prowess.(50-55 students 9th grade)        

Warrior Freshman Camp Giving ‘em a fighting chance!  Rowe High School’s Gerardo De La Garza has received an Education Foundation grant for "Warrior Freshman Camp."  De la Garza will head a freshman orientation program designed to ease the transition from middle to high school.  Warrior Freshman Camp will provide activities that specifically focus on boosting self-esteem, teaching discipline, and helping teens make well-informed academic and career choices.  De La Garza’s primary goal is to reduce the number of academic failures on the ninth grade level, while providing students with much needed academic and emotional support. (600 students - 9th grade)   


 

2000-2001

Pink Ladybugs, Painted Ladies, & Ugly Green Things  Children love to play in the dirt and those creepy-crawly things are a source of endless fascination. Crockett Elementary fourth-graders are going to get that chance … and get a grade for it to boot. The Education Foundation grant, “Pink Ladybugs, Painted Ladies and Ugly Green Things,” doesn’t pull any punches. Children under Gail De Moville will raise and release butterflies, praying mantis and ladybugs in a controlled environment. The children will log and study the life cycles of the insects and compare them to the other species. They will research background material on each creature and will learn about the ecosystem surrounding each insect as well. Later, students will bus to Santa Ana Wildlife refuge to examine these tiny creatures in the wild. The project will encompass lessons in science, math and language arts.

Expressive Art  Artistic expression is about to hit a new high at Escandon Elementary. First and third graders under Mireya Sepulveda and Gloria Valdez, are going to break out the paint, markers and crayons and turn their kids loose. “Expressive Art,” an Educational Foundation grant, will provide all the materials needed to allow children to express themselves in a highly individual and creative manner. Children will study the elements of art. They will create drawings, paintings and prints using line emphasis; they will paint a scene of their family from memory; draw self-portraits and study abstract art. There will be a field trip to a museum to study work done by professional artists. Students will also create collages, pictures and scrapbooks to reinforce lessons that will last a lifetime.

Chess Masters  Truly it is one of the most enduring games the world has ever known. From the lowliest nomads to the richest kings and queens, chess has entertained and captivated millions of players for centuries. Chess is more than just a game. It incorporates history, art, strategy, logic and long-range thinking. Aurora Martinez’s students at Fields Elementary will study the gamut chess offers through the Education Foundation grant “Chess Masters.” Approximately 150 students in third-fifth grades will learn the game (not just the rules but tactics as well) and study its history during a series of after-school sessions. Parent volunteers, community members and Fields staff members will assist. Who knows? Perhaps the next Bobby Fischer is sitting in a classroom at Fields.

Cultures Reaching Kids  In the Education Foundation grant, “Cultures Reaching Kids,” children will learn to use their Spanish in a practical way that promotes good will and reaches across cultural barriers. Second graders and fourth graders at Gonzalez Elementary will become pen pals with children their age in Mexico. Twice a month, the children under Chris Stock will write letters in Spanish to their pen pals at the Instituto Colon in Reynosa, Mexico. Students will enclose photos of themselves and begin correspondence in September, 2001.  In the Spring of 2002, the students will travel to Reynosa to meet their pen pals and enjoy a picnic. Studies show that students who learn Spanish at school tend not to use it outside of class. This program will give the children in Gonzalez’s Spanish class the unique and long lasting experience of interacting with and befriending peers from across the border.

Grizzly Go-Getters  The career choice: it’s one of the biggest decisions each of us ever makes in our lifetime. So, the more knowledge and exposure a child has toward various career fields, the greater the likelihood he or she will make the right choice when the time comes. That’s the idea behind “Grizzly Go-Getters,” an Education Foundation grant designed to introduce fourth and fifth graders to the multitude of careers out in the world. It's the brainchild of Gonzalez teachers...Lory Treviño and Barbara Dube.  Through a combined use of technology, student participation and community presentations, students will finish the program with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the importance of career choices. Children will make use of Career-O-Rom-A software and view a series of career-oriented videos. Guest speakers from the business community will pay them a visit and everyone will take a field trip to a local business. Career Explorer games will add to the fun while continuing to educate children further about the job world. This is one lesson that will pay dividends for the rest of their lives. 

M2  - Math in the Mall  The relevance of math in the real world will be emphasized as a class of 21 fifth graders from Gonzalez Elementary pounce on McAllen’s La Plaza Mall - a surprisingly rich environment for mathematics. Janet Bosch’s students will do more than just examine product prices and calculate sales taxes. The Education Foundation grant, “M squared - Math in the Mall,” will have them exploring, measuring, calculating and interviewing mall employees to gather specific data. Students will learn to classify karats of gold, measure carats of precious stones, measure the angle of inclination and rate of speed of a store escalator, calculate the cost of food items in the Food Court and photograph examples of geometry in architecture and home decor. Further skills include ratio, percent, discounts and unit conversions. All the data will be further analyzed in the classroom and presented for public display on tri-boards for parents and other students to examine and enjoy.

Science of Flight Phase II  Houston. We have a solution! Since the dawn of humankind, men and women have been fascinated by flight. Teachers at Gonzalez Elementary plan to capitalize on that curiosity with 132 fifth-graders by constructing model airplanes, kites and hot-air balloons. “Science of Flight Phase II,” an Education Foundation grant, will teach problem-solving skills, science, math and teamwork. Children will work together to construct and fly model gliders and observe the principles of flight through this hands-on experiment. Teachers Janet Bosch, Magda Cuellar, Debbie Schiller, Leslie Stephens, Edward St. Clair and Lorenz Villa will later take the students to the Rio Grande Valley’s Challenger Learning Center. There, students will work in teams to solve simulated problems involved with space exploration. We’re taking our students to the next frontier.   

Stock Up!  No one is too young or too old to learn about personal finance. It affects everyone for the course of his or her lifetime. That’s why Carla Walk’s second-graders are getting a first-rate lesson on the nature of stocks, economics, business and finance. The Education Foundation grant, “Stock Up!,” will afford 22 Gonzalez Elementary students the chance to buy and sell “stock” through a classroom simulation designed to develop critical math skills. Students will also analyze charts and calculate numbers in a hypothetical math situation. These junior entrepreneurs will study the life of Alexander Hamilton, the founder of the stock market and each will have his or her own ticker symbol. A mural will be created depicting the reasons we use stock. Students will use play money to buy and sell and measure their profit or loss. Wall Street look out!

The War Museum  One of the reasons we study tragic events in history is so the world can never be allowed to forget that these things can happen and, armed with that knowledge, take steps to keep them from happening again. Thanks to an Education Foundation grant to Debra Schiller, “The War Museum” - a dedication to World War II - will become a reality at Gonzalez Elementary. Fifth-grade students will study the period surrounding the war. They will hear from local veterans and tour local museums including the Iwo Jima Museum in Harlingen. Afterward, they will design exhibits for the museum. Students will have to decide on the order and arrangement of the exhibits. They will provide guided tours for other grade levels, parents and the public once the museum is complete. “The War Museum” will cover a myriad of lessons. Students will learn history, economics, politics, geography, how to interpret data plus presentational and organizational skills. When they are done, they will have a legacy for future classes to study. 

Book Buddies  One of the more effective ways children learn is by watching each other. Jennifer Saenz of Jackson Elementary is taking advantage of that by pairing up students with at-risk students in a buddy system to encourage reading. Reading is how we acquire knowledge. And thanks to an Education Foundation grant, “Book Buddies,” good readers will share that love of reading with their schoolmates. The fourth-graders will learn how to teach and review a story to share with their buddy. They will meet with their buddy to decide on a topic both like and purchase a book (with grant money) on that area. Self-esteem through reading will be promoted for all. The buddy system also allows more students to receive personalized instruction under the supervision of the teacher. 

Mysteries of the Deep  The average depth of the world’s oceans is more than two miles deep. Long before those depths, the sea turns pitch black, enshrouding everything in darkness. With much of our earth cloaked in permanent shadow, students at McAuliffe Elementary intend to shed some light on the mysteries and wonder of the ocean. Thanks to the Education Foundation grant “Mysteries of the Deep,” about 146 third-graders will study the ocean in ways that will incorporate science, math, social studies and language arts. Concepts of ecology, geography and mystery will be taught through expert presentation, a student project and a field trip to South Padre Island. Students will culminate their studies with a Dolphin Watch tour and a visit to the Coastal Studies Lab. This grant will help lay the groundwork for a planned Science Demonstration Night, a school-wide effort scheduled for next fall. The learning will continue long after the tides have receded.

Reach for the Stars - And Touch Them  With the recent surge in interest in astronomy thanks to missions to Mars and an asteroid, students at McAuliffe Elementary will construct their own little universe right inside the classroom thanks to the Education Foundation grant, “Reach for the Stars - And Touch Them.” Genie E. Rogers will have about 50 fourth and fifth-grade science students busy researching the size, distance and makeup of the planets in our solar system. The children will use models and numerical scales for closer study. They will learn to read constellations and track stars in the night sky. Students will also investigate the characteristics and life cycles of stars and explore the structure of the universe beyond our solar system. Closer to home, students will examine how humans adapt to life in space and even get to try some astronaut food. The study will encompass skills in science, math, vocabulary development, reading, research and even art. The project will include a field trip to the planetarium at The University of Texas-Pan American...to boldly go where no fifth-graders have gone before.

Reading in Motion  Teaching children to read. It’s fundamental for student success. It becomes even more crucial when children are still grappling with English as a foreign language. “Reading in Motion,” an Education Foundation grant, will take a strong step toward getting bilingual students on the right track to becoming strong readers. Idi McCasland’s third graders will read books, listen to audio tapes and even record themselves reading out loud, thanks to the materials this grant will provide. This project will improve the 22 students’ reading by allowing them to select books (drawing on personal interest) and building independent reading levels. The children will also have stories read to them by members of the community. It’s all designed to create a lifelong interest in reading (and therefore, learning) and helping the youngsters master English top to bottom.

Bringing Stories to Life  When children read or listen to a story, they picture the events and characters of the story in their minds. The natural extension is to bring those stories vividly to life by acting them out. That’s what children at Wilson Elementary are going to do with “Bringing Stories to Life” - an Education Foundation grant. All 500 children in the school will be involved. They will be guided in role-playing, dramatizing and creating props to reveal their stories and characters. Each classroom will be given an author profile to study and at least three books from that particular author. The project is designed to encourage children to use oral, written, creative and artistic expression. It should also foster an appreciation of different authors, stories and styles.

W.N.N. (Wilson Network News)  Move over CNN. Fourth graders at Wilson Elementary are going to create their own network news thanks to an Education Foundation grant. “WNN (Wilson Network News)” will hit the airwaves with a live newscast for everyone on the campus to see. In the meantime, Idalia Benavides, Belinda Bullard and Monica Rios will have their 66 students studying the building blocks of journalism. They will write, edit and revise their own news copy to be read on the air. There is a technical side to this lesson too. The grant allows for the purchase of a video camera, tri-pod, microphones and videocassettes. Students will learn how to use these items. A field trip to a local TV station will provide insight and inspiration to the television news process both in front and behind the camera. This lesson will provide the perfect avenue to help children improve their vocabulary, speaking skills, writing and research skills and then connect those things to real life experiences. So who will be the next Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters? He or she might one day say it all started at Wilson.

K.A.G. (Kinder Art Gallery)  Introducing children to fine arts at an early age will not only promote a life-long appreciation of creativity but will accelerate the learner’s motor-skills as well. Thus, the “K.A.G. (Kinder Art Gallery)” Education Foundation grant will have a duel effect. Zavala kindergartners under Rosa Isela Rivera, will be furnished with the works to create paintings and collages. They will make basic shapes with yarn and stencils and even make finger paints. There will be team activities in which students tell stories about their piece. Plus, a representative from Learning Express will provide parents with information on a variety of materials and supplies parents can use at home to increase fine motor skills and creativity. All the creations will be displayed in a classroom gallery - the Kinder Art Gallery. 

Sharing and Caring  Imagine the feeling of reading a biography of sorts about yourself - while still in the second grade! The Education Foundation grant, “Sharing and Caring,” will present sixth graders at Lincoln Middle School the unique chance to mix fiction with non-fiction when they write an original story based on a second-grade partner. It's an idea that came from Cindy Cooksey, Rumalda Gomez, Alex Rivas and Isela Rodriguez.  The second graders at Zavala Elementary will provide information about themselves and their hobbies.  The Lincoln students will use that information and write an original personalized short story based on that person’s answers. The sixth graders will illustrate the stories as well. Afterward, the Lincoln children will present their story, along with a second-grade level book by a published author, to each second grader at Zavala. The Zavala students will then read the newly written story to the sixth graders. The boost to the second grader’s self-esteem will be immense while the older children develop an awareness in the importance of giving of one’s time, the use of good grammar and a general reinforcement of reading skills.

Auto Collision Repair Summer Institute  Good auto mechanics. It’s something we don’t think about until we need one. There is a shortage of auto repair specialists in the Rio Grande Valley and Career And Technology Education Counselor Jesus Torres is taking a big step toward addressing that need. The Education Foundation grant, “Auto Collision Repair Summer Institute,” will expose students in Auto Repair classes at all three regular McAllen high schools to the variety of careers found in the Auto Repair industry. Students in 11th and 12th grades will spend one week with a professional in a certain field of the business. The areas to be covered include painting, estimating and purchasing among others. Students will also have access to the latest equipment being used in the industry and will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

A Close Up Look at the Masters  Rembrandt. Van Gogh. Monet. These are the great Masters of the art world. Their works continue to teach, enlighten and inspire across the centuries. And thanks to the Education Foundation grant, “A Close Up Look at the Masters,” young art aficionados from McAllen Memorial High School will get the opportunity to study these works. Students will first research an artist and produce an oral and written report on their choice. Then, about 49 art students in grades 9-12 under Rena Roberts and Jay Huber will travel this May to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. There, they will gaze to their heart’s delight at works that have inspired and delighted millions for generations.  

Embracing Our Youth  For years, the needs of at-risk students have presented a special problem to educators. It can be difficult making certain at-risk students don’t slip through the cracks and thanks to an Education Foundation grant the problem is being met head-on. “Embracing Youth - A Mentoring Program” is the concept of McAllen Memorial’s Clara Cardenas, Rosa Espinosa, Martha Rodriguez and Esther Perez. The purpose is two-fold. First, it will train staff and faculty members and establish a Mentoring Program. Second, the Mentoring Program is expected to work with at-risk students and prepare them and arm them with the tools to be successful in life. After training, mentors will be able to impact student success in, 1) Enhancing self-esteem, 2) Reducing the dropout rate, 3) Decreasing student discipline referrals, 4) Improving student academic performance and daily attendance and, 5) Creating an environment in which students feel adults genuinely are interested in their academic and personal welfare. The at-risk students (about 50 total) will be provided with tangible incentives, participate in field trips and be awarded certificates as a further effort to boost their morale and make them realize they too can become effective members of the future.

The Lost Communities of Falcon Lake  Scholars from Options in Education High School will do some detective work to write their own chapter to local history. Falcon Dam Reservoir was built as a joint project by the United States and Mexico in 1953. The Education Foundation grant - “The Lost Communities of Falcon Lake” - will give juniors and seniors the chance to take a first-hand look at the communities that were displaced by the redirected waters of the Rio Grande. Students will record oral history by interviewing former citizens of Old Falcon. They will delve into the positive and negative effects of the dam in light of the drought experienced by South Texas and Northern Mexico in recent years. To culminate the project, students will take a guided tour of Guerrero Viejo - the 50-year old ghost town that often slips under water when the Rio Grande swells. Options students won’t be just reading about local history, they will be recording it. The grant’s teachers will be Yvette Correa, Jose L. Rios, Steve Schaffer and Jeanette LaFevers

Reading Survival: The Heart of the Sea  The world of fiction and non-fiction alike are filled with inspiring stories of survival and beating the odds against nature. In the Heart of the Sea, a new book by Nathaniel Philbrick, will provide a case study for students at Options in Education High School. “Reading Survival: In the Heart of the Sea,” is the name of the Education Foundation grant. The true story of a 19th century whaling ship, sunk by a whale, and the survivors’ travails will become the jumping-off point for a whirlwind study that includes the whaling industry, geography, water displacement in a ship and even the life of Jacques Cousteau. A local radio talk-show host, who interviewed the author, will discuss interviewing techniques with the students during one of their bi-monthly sit-down discussions on the book. The program will culminate with a field trip to South Padre Island to take a Dolphin Watch tour. Students will get a small taste of life on the high seas thanks to Kay Copold, Leticia Cazares and Victor Rodriguez. 

Legends of the Asphalt  Just what awesome forces are at work that would propel a dragster from a standing start to over 260 mph in just a few hundred yards? What keeps the vehicle from taking flight at that speed? Those are some of the questions Algebra 2-B students at Options in Education High School will tackle when they study the mathematics and physics of a real-life dragster. “Legends of the Asphalt” - an Education Foundation grant - will examine cars from the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association). Approximately 25 students under Sonia Barragan, Daniel Galeana, Claudia Gutierrez and Sally Mata will use classroom seminars and library research to identify the variables and prepare the students for the calculations involved in a quarter-mile race. The students will culminate their studies with a field trip to The Houston Raceway Park to view an NHRA event. A speaker from the NHRA will discuss the mathematics and physics involved in the sport and offer a behind-the-scenes look at hot rod racing. Studying math and physics through racing will give the students a “real-world” experience, allow them to develop problem-solving skills and integrate technology into their lessons.

Get Wired  Rowe High School students are getting ready to “Get Wired.” That’s the name of their Education Foundation grant that will teach agricultural science students how to network a group of computers and printers for the agriculture classroom. The beauty of it is that once the computers are up and running, agriculture science and technology students under Rodney Beamsley can use them for Internet research. The plan allows students to gain hands-on experience with electronics and provide insight into technical/electrical careers. The students will install, service and maintain the electrical computer system. 

Health Science Summer Institute (HSSI)  Medicine. It’s one of the most noble and most necessary professions. The Health Science Connection already works toward encouraging children to follow medical careers but the “Health Science Summer Institute (HSSI)” Education Foundation grant will give McAllen Memorial High School students a one-week intensive study of the medical field from a front-row seat. Students will spend that week in the summer under the instruction of hospital educators at a local hospital. They will learn about nursing, radiology, sonography, respiratory therapy and dietician studies among others. Students will then receive on-the-job training from the different departments. The program will promote career awareness, decision-making skills, and let students learn first-hand about health profession duties and the hospital volunteer program. The importance of giving back to one’s community will be stressed. The students, under Career And Technology Education Counselor Elizabeth Arrendondo, will also receive certificates of completion following the program.

Striving for Excellence: Youth Leadership Seminar”Mighty Mustangs Pave the Way”  The purpose of the Education Foundation grant, “Striving for Excellence: Youth Leadership,” is to assist students in developing the necessary skills to become productive, caring citizens who will be able to make valuable contributions to their school and their community. Clara Cardenas, a Regional School for the Deaf Counselor at McAllen Memorial High School, has come up with a way to focus on the development of leadership skills for about 40 hearing impaired students. Some of the topics by guest lecturers will include, 1) How to be a positive role model, 2) Participating in school/community organizations, 3) Developing leadership skills and, 4) Working effectively with others. Guest speakers will include the mayor of McAllen and McAllen School Board members. There will be a field trip to city hall and various other social service organizations like the Salvation Army, Food Bank and Red Cross plus guidance lessons. Toward the end of the program, students will develop their own portfolio that will include photographs and a compilation of the different school and community activities in which they have participated.

2001-2002

 All In Favor Say “Aye”…Fifth graders at Milam Elementary are going to be taking a journey into the past. Thanks to teacher Glenda Barrera, about 40 students will gain an understanding of the background, creation, and history of our system of government and the U.S. Constitution. It’s an Education Foundation grant called All In Favor Say Aye. Knowledge of this great document is not only essential for school lessons, but is a fundamental necessity as an American citizen. Many different teaching strategies for this project will include students acting as delegates and debating constitutional issues, students playing a Constitution Game, they will write persuasive speeches and even act in a play called We The People. At Milam, these students won’t just be studying history. They’ll be living it.

Family Literacy Expo… Plain and simple, learning begins with reading. Without reading you cannot understand much of anything. Without reading, I couldn’t even read this to you. That’s why the Education Foundation grant Family Literacy Expo is so important. Thanks to Mary Rodriguez and Nancy Saenz, nearly 500 children in 1st-5th grades at Roosevelt Elementary will be polishing their reading skills, spending quality time with mom and dad, and having lots of fun. Decorating the library to resemble a circus tent is just one way of making reading an event. Boys and girls, moms and dads will get their faces painted and there will even be a clown show. And that’s just one of the activities. Family Literacy Expo isn’t just about reading. Educational programs will also focus on helping parents to provide educational assistance to their children. Exposing children to the joy of reading is one of the greatest gifts a teacher or parent can bestow.

The Greenhouse Classroom…Thanks to the Education Foundation grant The Greenhouse Classroom, students of all ages at McAuliffe Elementary are going to be walking around with green thumbs. The Greenhouse Classroom plans to teach all sorts of lessons, including science, math, social studies and economics, by using plants as a focus. This project is under the guise of teachers Kimberly Smith, Nancy Birkenmayer (BERKEN mayor), Robin Randall, Kimberlee Ketterer (keter), Genie Rogers and Karen Kinerk (kih NERK). About 125 students in kindergarten through 5th grade will be taking a hands-on approach to learning in this special environment. They will learn about plant adaptation, watering cycles, feeding systems, organisms and safety practices. Students will even sell their plants to fund these lessons for future years. A 14-foot by 20-foot greenhouse will be constructed just south of the school gym. Cuttings for establishing plants will be obtained from McHigh’s green house, parents of students and Master Gardeners in the area. Although this will begin with six classrooms, the plan is to one day open it up to all students here at McAuliffe.

No Bones About It! We Love Dinosaurs!…Wake up kindergartners, you are about to become young paleontologists and study everything about dinosaurs! Paleontologists are scientists who study dinosaurs. This Education Foundation grant, called No Bones About It. We Love Dinosaurs, will use reading, science, social studies, math, music, art and even cooking to give everyone a complete understanding of dinosaurs and make it lots of fun too. There’s going to be activities involving games, music, puzzles, paint, sand bags and even baby plastic swimming pools. Kinder teachers Rosalyn Smith, Justine Garcia, Mary Garcia, Nora Garcia, Triana Garcia and Julie Martinez put this project together for 120 kindergartners. So get ready because the study of the past is coming in your future.

Traveling the Texas Trails…Texas is a big state with a culture all its own. So young cowpokes from Garza Elementary kindergarten classes will be getting their fill of Texas’ customs and traditions thanks to the Education Foundation grant Traveling the Texas Trails. Areas of study will include symbols of Texas, maps, agriculture, animals and the making and sampling of yummy Texas food like chili and bar-be-que. Materials will be purchased to make decorations and other artwork. The Texas Trails will lead us on a field trip to the historical museum in Edinburg. We will study maps of Texas and finish the year with a good-old fashioned rodeo complete with cowboy hats and hay bales. Teachers Rosalyn Smith, Justine Garcia, Mary Garcia, Nora Garcia, Triana Garcia and Julie Martinez will be your travel guides on your jaunt through the trails of Texas.

Bonham’s Butterflies…Butterflies are beautiful creatures. Long ago, people believed butterflies were fairies in disguise that stole butter and milk, hence the name butterfly. There are many different kinds of butterflies in South Texas and thanks to the Education Foundation grant, Bonham’s Butterflies, children at Bonham Elementary are going to learn all about them. About 62 kindergartners under teacher Diana Williams will get to investigate, observe, examine and record facts about local butterflies. They will set up, take care of, and stock a Butterfly sanctuary that will be constructed on campus. This project will promote decision-making skills and science - specifically biology and the environment. Youngsters will be busy as bees while they learn to identify ways the Earth can provide resources for life, communicate their findings, identify basic needs of living organisms and observe and record the stages in the life cycle of organisms. Thanks to you all, butterflies from all over will know they have a home at Bonham.

Market Days (A Micro-Society Venture)…Someday all our children will be grown-ups working in all sorts of jobs. The Education Foundation grant called Market Days (A Micro-Society Venture) will provide about 500 students in pre-K through 5th grade the opportunity to observe jobs in their own business community and to plan and operate their own market place. Field trips to different businesses are part of the order thanks to teacher Orfelinda Blasquez. Eventually, these children will become designers, producers, customers and merchants inside Houstonville. The goal is to encourage and motivate students to achieve at high levels of creativity, productivity and enthusiasm. Furthermore, this will infuse students with things that can’t be taught like greater self-esteem and self-confidence intellectually and socially. There is an obvious need for students of today to take what is learned in school and be able to apply it to their everyday lives at home and later at work. Market Days will help students understand and be better prepared for the business world.

Valley’s Onion Festival…The Education Foundation grant Valley’s Onion Festival will take children through a wonderful investigation of life. It will begin with reading a novel about a young man who is faced with some overwhelming obstacles and in the end, redeems himself. But before he does, he has to make the right choices. Now what does this have to do with onions? In the story, onions are the young man’s sole source of survival. We will be correlating an outstanding children’s novel with an important agricultural product of the Rio Grande Valley. About 130 4th graders under teacher Maggie Bramble, are going to learn lessons in social studies, science and reading - all through onions. They will learn how they are grown, what jobs are related to onions, they will observe onions under a microscope and record their observations. Finally, students will take a field trip to a plant to see firsthand how onions are cleaned, sorted, packed and shipped out. Onions are important to the Valley’s economy and Rayburn children are going to be envied as experts on onions.

Bridging the Gap…Everyone understands the importance of reading. And the Education Foundation grant called Bridging the Gap is meant to make sure every child leaves with polished reading skills. The grant was written by Nilda Barrera, Evangelina Carmona, Sharon Dickens and Minerva Gonzalez. Thanks to this grant, Bonham Elementary is going to be host to four literacy nights in which children, moms and dads will gather with their teachers to listen to stories, recite rhymes and sing songs. The money from this grant will provide books, cassette players and other supplies to make literacy night fun and enjoyable for everyone. The idea is not just to give children extra time to reinforce their reading skills but to arm mom and dad with additional resources they need to encourage reading at home. As we all know, super readers make super students. 

EnviroLab…Get ready for the EnviroLab. The EnviroLab will be coming your way this April thanks to an Education Foundation grant proposed by teacher Carla Walk at Gonzalez Elementary. The EnviroLab, a movable science lab, will assist children in all grades in a variety of experiements about the environment. Students will observe the effects of acid rain on limestone and granite, test local water sources for pollution, use solar energy to cook hot dogs, power model cars and warm a water heater. They will play educational games like Energy Jeopardy and even learn to make energy ice cream. Later on, students will create an exhibit or experiment for the Environmental Fair. We all know how important a healthy environment is and the children of today will be the ones taking care of the environment of tomorrow.

Nature Bound/Jr. Naturalists Investigate the Environment…Milam Elementary 5th grade science students are about to become detectives. Soon, they will take a close look at many aspects of our environment in order to connect and enrich their classroom knowledge with the outdoor world, using a valuable hands-on approach. It’s an Education Foundation grant called Nature Bound/Junior Naturalists Investigate the Environment. Classroom lessons in astronomy, insect study, geology, plants and water, among other things will be put to full use during a field trip to the Outdoor Science School in Marble Falls, Tx. The science school trip will afford Milam children a chance to study the environment and environmental issues in a structured outdoor learning facility. This will be a valuable and authentic experience. Thanks to teachers Glenda Barrera, Lee Ann Clemons, Amy Fraise, Katherine Moore, Debra Munoz, Nayeli Oliveira and Megan Schiller, Milam’s 5th graders will have a refined comprehension of our environment, the role it plays in our lives and the role we play in protecting and preserving it.

Art in Environment…A class of 2nd grade students at Milam Elementary are going to be in charge of capturing the images of animals and expressing their beauty in a variety of ways including painting, drawing, sketching and even sculpture. Thanks to teacher Karen Shea and her Education Foundation grant called Art in Environment, these students will be using art to learn more about animals. First, the students will take a field trip to the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. There, they will take many pictures of animals in their environment. Back in the classroom, these photos will be projected onto a large screen so everyone can see them while they paint, draw, sketch or work with clay. Artwork and essays the children write will later be put on display for the rest of the school to enjoy.

Oceanography - The World Beneath…If you’ve ever been to the beach, have you ever looked out over the ocean and wondered what was underneath. There’s a whole world there. A very different world and seventh graders at Brown Middle School are going to be diving into this new world thanks to an Education Foundation grant called Oceanography - The World Beneath. Teachers Maritza Bradshaw and Yvonne Ramon have come up with this plan. Students will be studying and analyzing the ocean profile, impacts of climate change, oceanic habitats, composition of ocean water and other events related to the ocean. Students are going to have to use their scientific know-how and writing skills. They will be taking a field trip to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi to study live fish up close and personal. The aim of this grant is for students to engage in first-hand activities that will enhance and promote their skills and increase knowledge of The World Beneath.

The Fast and the Furious Under the Sun…Seventh graders at Travis Middle School are going to be learning about science first-hand when they build their own model race car. The cars will compete against each other with the top cars eligible to enroll in the Texas Solar Race in San Antonio. It’s an Education Foundation grant called The Fast and the Furious Under the Sun. It was proposed by teachers Sonia Arevalo and Cesar Garcia. These race cars will all be solar powered. About 200 students will be using their knowledge of physics and engineering to build the cars. Part of the reason behind this grant is to teach children about the need to search for alternative energy sources and we move into the future. Solar power may be used more and more in years to come and      Travis students will be one step ahead of the game. So,are you ready Travis? Then start your engine

Ocean and Desert…Crockett Elementary 4th and 5th graders are going to join hands to learn along with students from New Mexico. The Education Foundation grant, called Ocean and Desert, will allow them to trade information about their environment back and forth. The kids at Puesta del Sol Elementary in Rio Rancho, New Mexico will learn about the ocean thanks to Crockett’s kids. The children here will, in turn, learn about the desert from New Mexico’s 4th and 5th graders. In your research here at Crockett, you will get to go on a field trip to Padre Island to take the Dolphin Watch tour. The lessons involved here will include science, math, social studies, writing, reading and art. Thanks to teachers Gail DeMoville and Michele Peckinpaugh, children at two schools in two states will be learning about the ocean and the desert.

A Whale of a Time…Fourth graders at McAuliffe Elementary are going to be having A Whale of a Time - that’s the name of their Education Foundation grant. Students will learn geography, become familiar with the principals of navigation, work with maps and take field trips to aquariums and museums. Math, science and social studies will become more relevant because the learners will gain a greater depth of understanding for their use in real life. Their study of the ocean will become enriched by field trips to the Coastal Studies Lab and the Dolphin Watch tour at Padre Island. This grant will expose students to the make-up of Texas’ coastal region. It will also facilitate their understanding of industrial issues, including the economic impact fishing and oil exploration have upon the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to teachers Angie Arismendi, Arlene Elizondo, Karen Kinerk, Renee Livesay, BonniePitton, Genie Rogers and Anita West, McAuliffe students are in for a whale of a good time.

Veterans’ Day Celebration…Since Sept. 11, the nation has seen a resurgence in patriotism and a deep acknowledgement of the sacrifice our soldiers, sailors and airmen are making today and have made for more than 200 years in our country’s history. That’s why history teachers at Brown Middle School, led by Jennifer Johnson, have formulated an Education Foundation grant to honor veterans of all U.S. conflicts. It’s called Veterans’ Day Celebration. First, a celebration will be held each November, inviting all area veterans to the school. The day will be filled with guest speakers, educational videos, books and games, debates, and hands-on simulations and activities, plus a field trip to the Veterans’ Memorial. Each hallway will be decorated to present information on all our nation’s wars, from the American Revolution to Afghanistan. The culminating activity will be using each Brown student and staff member to form a giant human flag for a photograph on the playground. At Brown, we want our veterans to know they have a place where they will always be respected and remembered.

History in Action…The pages in American History books at Brown Middle School won’t just be sitting still anymore. They will be coming alive and taking students back into time so they can experience what really happened and why things happened that affect our lives and culture today. Teacher Jennifer Johnson will use this Education Foundation grant, called History in Action, to give students the chance to participate in a series of history simulations to better understand the chronological order of events, as well as specific details of, different historical eras like Colonial America, Slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will photograph these simulations to prepare a video scrapbook to share on Parents’ Night. They will also be used in a PowerPoint presentation. The idea is to give students a deeper grasp of history and fulfill the motto of Ms. Johnson: “Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand.”

Sky High Achievers…De Leon students will soon be reaching for the stars as Sky High Achievers. That’s the name of the Education Foundation grant written by teachers Chris Keller and Oralia Arellano. Students at De Leon will spend next year studying the planets, stars and constellations of the universe. There is currently no local astronomy facility or group in the school district where students are able to gain a broader and deeper understanding of this branch of science. Sky High Achievers will serve as a launching pad for students to follow their curiosity and to expand their awareness, interests and skills in astronomy. Students and parents will have the opportunity to look through telescopes and there will even be a field trip to the McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis, Texas. Sky High Achievers is forging a new path of learning through the stars.

The Movers and Shakers of Tomorrow…Have you ever wondered what it was like to be mayor of a town? Or did you wonder how banks handle so much money without losing it? Well, sixth-graders in Cindy Cooksey’s class will be getting hands-on experience with creating a new society and experience the free enterprise system in action. Students are going to be using their math, English and social studies’ skills to become active consumers, producers, marketers and entrepreneurs as they create their own little town here at Lincoln. It’s all thanks to an Education Foundation grant called The Movers and Shakers of Tomorrow. The students will set up their own micro-society by creating a monetary system, a bank and city government. They will also produce their own goods and sell these during market days. The purpose of this project is to introduce students to the building blocks of a town or society, give them a firm grasp of the electoral process and let them experience first-hand the laws of supply and demand and profit and loss. The Lincoln society will teach students that the skills they are learning in the classroom today will be needed in the world of tomorrow.

Journey Into Space…Brown Middle School will soon be home of the junior astronaut. Thanks to the Education Foundation grant, Journey Into Space, about 125 seventh-graders will be learning about different aspects of space including, study of planets, the history of space exploration, and the laws of gravity and motion. Students will utilize their math, science and language arts skills to gain a greater awareness of space, space travel and the space program. Teachers Dalia Rodriguez, Jennifer Avery, Ryan Crick, Maritza Bradshaw, Yvonne Ramon and Mary Galeana will have their students designing model rocket cars to study physics and even making ice cream to study space food. A field trip to the San Benito Space Challenger Center is also in the mix. Soon, Brown students will know so much about space, they will become the leading authorities of tomorrow.

Connections in Color…Colors and shapes are all around us. Understanding them can help us further understand the world around us. In the Education Foundation grant, Connections in Color, students will integrate concepts in art and science. Students will travel to the McAllen Museum to study artwork, principally its use of color and light. They will study the scientific principals of light and physical shapes. Finally, these students under Anna Chavarria and Kevin Kelly will create a multi-media presentation to share with others. Some of the peripheral lessons students will learn include being an effective communicator, team player, problem-solving skills and creative expression.

Traveling Psychology Trunks…When we think of psychology, we often think of couches or maybe a hypnotist’s watch. But students in the International Baccalaureate program will be using trunks to teach basic psychology to elementary school-children. It’s an Education Foundation grant called Traveling Psychology Trunks. Here’s the plan: Marissa Sarabando’s students will create five traveling psychology trunks highlighting important ideas and concepts dealing with human behavior. The idea is to expose younger students at nearby elementary schools to basic psychological principles in an interactive and fun way. The high school students gain a chance to interact with elementary children and teach them about behavior. The trunks will contain visual, auditory and text-based information to help teach these different concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. In a way, the high school students get to become the teachers. 

A Peek at the Masters…A Peek at the Masters is both a reward and a challenge. It’s an Education Foundation grant where Memorial High students under Rina Roberts and Jay Huber will take a field trip to the Ester Barnhart House in Beeville, Tx. to view an exhibit called The Master. It’s an exhibit on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. The exhibit will enhance the cultural and artistic knowledge and motivate them to do artwork that reflects quality and imagination. Also, students will be researching an individual master artist and their style. They will create their own works of art reflecting the style of that artist. Maybe someday, future students will study a new generation of Old Masters who got their start in this classroom.

Ice Ice Breaking…It may be ice-cold but here is a red-hot way to generate excitement toward art. Ice Ice Breaking is the name of an Education Foundation grant in which students at Memorial High will create their own ice sculptures. Groups of students under teachers Rina Roberts and Jay Huber will be given a 300-pound block of ice, some chisels and hammers. Their assignment, make an identifiable piece of art before the sun melts it down. One more thing, it will be done in the school courtyard so all the students in the school can share in the excitement. Professional ice sculptors will be here to demonstrate and offer tips on ice sculpture. This grant will put art in the spotlight, giving students the chance to produce art for their peers. Students will also learn to use math, science, reading and writing in the planning stages. These students will begin with a plain block of ice but, from it, will create something unique we can all appreciate, envy and admire.

3-D Giants…Every great artist wants to create something to last a lifetime. Now, Memorial High students will get that chance. Thanks to 3-D Giants, an Education Foundation grant, students will forge a large sculpture to help beautify the campus for years to come. Teacher Rina Roberts will guide her students through the study of other sculptures and their creators, the planning process and, finally, the finished product. This artwork will enhance the environment, symbolize the value of education and the creativity of our students.

Sign Your Way to Austin…Students in sign language classes will be going on a field trip to learn about the two primary methods of teaching deaf students. It’s an Education Foundation grant called Sign Your Way to Austin. Students will study the differences between oral education and total communication. They will take a two-day field trip to Sunshine Cottage - an oral education school in San Antonio and to the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. There, the students will gain first-hand knowledge of both systems and enjoy the opportunity to communicate with other deaf students and adults outside the Valley. Thanks to teacher Chris Ardis, these McAllen High students will be able to recognize the importance of communication and how it relates to the American deaf culture and also to show an understanding of the influence one language and culture have on another. Sign Your Way to Austin is certain to open the eyes, and ears, of students.


 

2002-2003

The Flibberflop Shoe Challenge   Students in Thomas Miller’s technology class are going to be putting their skills to a real-world use. Namely, they’ve got to design, build and test an actual pair of shoes. Student-teams will apply their English, math, science, social studies, art and teamwork skills to design a new athletic shoe and a marketing scheme to go with it. It’s called the Flibberflop Shoe Challenge and its funded by the Education Foundation. Not only must the shoe be decorated and appealing but it must be functional. Students must be able to walk at least 65 feet in the shoes. They must design a logo and business plan to go with it. The winning team will receive a new pair of designer athletic shoes. So get ready as Mr. Miller’s tech classes learn to put their best foot forward.

       
Witness to the Civil War   One of the most effective ways to learn history is by going through what those who actually lived it experienced themselves. That’s why this Education Foundation grant is called Witness to the Civil War. Students in Marissa Sarabando’s class will be going back in time so to speak to visit an actual Civil War battle reenactment. There is also the possibility all or some students will get to participate in the reenactment as soldiers or nurses. The reenactment will take place in Hempstead, Texas in November. Students will spend the semester researching the Civil War and preparing a list of interview questions for regular participants in the reenactment. Students will be studying the culture of the mid-1800s including how people from various racial, ethnic and religious groups adapted to life. Students will be putting their critical thinking skills to work to tackle one of the biggest chapters in American History. 

       
Bridging the Gap: Families Reading Together    The Education Foundation grant known as Bridging the Gap: Families Reading Together, will take students, mom and dad on three magical journies. Once each month, families will come together in the school library for a reading. The themes will range from the medieval period, Louisiana Cajun country to the Arabian Nights. Real medieval jousters will entertain and bring the stories to life. Cajun food will be shared and dance students will glide us back to majestic Arabia. Mary Rodriguez and Laura Davila came up with the idea to enhance family literacy and parental involvement. This will empower parents and strengthen their relationship with their children through books, art, games and music.       

Sky High Achievers   students, get ready for an education foundation grant that is out of this world.  Beginning next fall, mr. Chris keller’s students will become masters of the stars as they study astronomy. They will study the position of the stars, planets, and other objects and record what occurs month to month through written materials, star charts and even nasa databases. There will be special “star” parties which include gazing through telescopes at worlds millions of miles away. This project will serve as a springboard for an enrichment program to afford students the opportunity to delve into space exploration. They will not only be improving their math and science skills but maybe developing a life-long interest. One thing’s for sure. They will become sky high achievers.

       
“Science and Energy Expo”   For the first time in about 15 years, McAllen ISD is going to have a district-wide science fair. More than 16,000 students from third grade through the 12th, will have the opportunity to create a project which focuses on experimentation, demonstrations or collections of scientific materials. Put on your thinking caps because these will be exhibited at a giant science fair at McAllen civic center in October. There will be judging and trophies for the top teams in the elementary, middle school and high school ranks. Student knowledge and skills will improve in such areas as conducting field and lab investigations and in using critical-thinking skills. This education foundation grant will be a collective effort between teachers, principals, the science coordinator and total.   

       
The Fast and the Furious II   Last year, Travis students built and raced their own solar-powered race cars. Well, it’s time for a rematch. Once again, thanks to the Education Foundation, students of Fidel Munoz and Ceasar Garcia will design, construct and compete with model race cars powered exclusively by the sun. This project will reinforce scientific skills like safe practices during a field investigation, formulating and testing a hypothesis, and studying Earth’s renewable, non-renewable and exhaustible resources. A premium will also be put on writing and math skills. So get ready for the big race Travis. The Fast and the Furious II is coming your way.       

Puppet Plays   Options students can get ready for a whirlwind of activities that will have them putting together puppet shows for younger children, studying Shakesphere, designing health presentations and even taking a field trip to NASA in Houston. Skills in English, health, art, matth and science will all be put to the test. It’s an Education Foundation grant called Puppet Plays. Puppet Plays is the brainchild of teachers Anna Chavarria and Kevin Kelly with help from the rest of Options staff. Everything is designed to integrate a variety of subjects and teach students to adapt their materials for a variety of audiences. So students, put on your best face and let’s make Puppet Plays a hit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

An Environmental Study: Issues and Solutions   Students at Houston Elementary can get ready to study and learn just about everything about science. It’s an Education Foundation grant called An Environmental Study: Issues and Solutions. Over the next school year, children will choose an environmental issue they like from a list that includes droughts, water pollution, air pollution, electricity, endangered animals, dolphin watch and more. Students will explore and investigate using scientific methods. Teachers Christin Montemayor, Ana Doughtery, Orlelinda Blasquez and Ruben Castro will immerse students in hands-on, experimental research in the environment. This will help make them future problem solvers and active participants in the maintenance of our endangered, living world.    

Preserving Our Fossil Fuels   Second-graders at Milam are going to get an up-close look at fossil fuels. It’s called Preserving Our Fossil Fuels and is made possible by the Education Foundation. Thanks to teachers Karen Shea, Juanita Olivarez, Gracie Zepeda, Sharon Willits, Jan Hoffman and Wendy Madden, students are going to become aware of how fossil fuels are made and discover safe alternatives for fossil fuel usage. Fossil fuels will be studied in a labortory setting. Finally, each child will build his own solar powered cooker. The cooker will be used to make hot dogs using just the power of the sun. Reading, math and science are all coming together to make Milam’s students experts on fossil fuels. 

       
All Charged Up   Since electricity is such a big part of our world, it is crucial that students learn about it. That’s the purpose behind the Education Foundation grant called All Charged Up. Thanks to teachers Nilda Barrera and Hesmeralda Villalon, Bonham children will learn the basics of electricity and when we should or should not be afraid of it. Students will also learn where our energy comes from and why it is important to conserve it. This project will include a field trip to Magic Valley Co-op, a survey students will take at home and at school to list all the appliances which use electricity, a Watt Watchers program in which students will keep a close eye to make sure energy isn’t being wasted and finally, students will make presentations for all to see at a science fair. So get Charged Up, because you are all about to embark on a journey which you will never forget.        

Greenhouse E.F.F.E.C.T.   Last year’s Education Foundation grant created a greenhouse right here at McAuliffe. Well now, we want to expand it further. Now, thanks to Greenhouse Effect, that’s possible. Thanks to this new Foundation grant, plants and gardening supplies will be purchased to add to the greenhouse and vegetable garden. Extra plants will cut down on erosion in the garden area. Students will study the effects of the sun and erosion on this environment and do a study to decide which plants will work best. Teachers Lisa Franklin, Kimberly Smith, Nancy Birkenmayer, Robin Randall, Kimberlee Ketterer, Genie Rogers and Karen Kinerk have all collaborated to benefit students in pre-kinder through the fifth grade. A native habitat promotes such benefits as pollination, plant stability and lessons the effects of global warming. The new plants and garden will also enhance and beutify the school’s appearance. Future students will have this group of McAuliffe students to thank for creating and sustaining a greenhouse and garden that will bear fruit for years to come.

       
Healthy Minds = Healthy Bodies   Studies have shown that kids who enjoy healthy lifestyles often lead healthier, more productive lives. Well, the goal behind the Education Foundation grant, Healthy Minds equals Healthy Bodies, is to teach children the value of good health and how to figure out what is healthy and what is not. Fourth and fifth graders under teacher Genie Rogers will learn about the food pyramid, how to read food labels, counting calories and healthy dieting. Activities will include food safety, healthy eating and preparing healthy snacks.  McAuliffe students will prepare a binder of information which they can share with mom and dad. The children will be reading a monthly newsletter called Healthy And Wise. This project will help children increase their vocabulary, they will apply measuring concepts and demonstrate an understanding of health-related concepts. Getting kids off to healthy habits now will pay dividends to last a lifetime.

       
Tots in Motion   In this day and age when so many children are not getting enough exercise due to television, video games on the Internet, the Education Foundation grant, Tots In Motion, is intended to address this concern. Tots in Motion will promote the pursuit of physical outdoor play. Pre-kindergarteners and other youngsters will be using tricycles, scooters and wagons to foster the development of gross motor skills. The children will also benefit from other life skills that will arise through this play such as the use of imagination, a positive self-esteem, interaction in a social play setting and problem solving. By getting McAuliffe’s Tots in Motion, the pre-kindergarten and PPCD teachers who wrote this grant, will be steering our young children on the right path to a happy and successful future.   

       
Life Experiences in a Box   Life Experiences in a Box is an Education Foundation grant that will provide opportunities for pre-kinder deaf children to enjoy many role-playing experiences. These experiences will foster language acquisition through creative dramatics. The themes for the 20 prop boxes include gift wrapping, grocery store, a school, fast food restaurant, library, camping and fishing, post office, pet grooming and the beach plus many more. These prop boxes will promote the role of children as active rather than passive learners as they develop stronger literacy skills through meaningful interactions. Teacher Marisela Perez will have her students experiencing real-life situations in order for language growth to occur. At Escandon, lots of surprises are in store for these young children.       

Through Our Eyes   Welcome to the Education Foundation grant called Through Our Eyes. This project promotes hands on and minds on learning on a tried-and-true topic of interest to children -- farm animals. Pre-kinder and kindergarten students in the Regional School for the Deaf at Escandon are going on field investigation to Mesquite Farm in Brownsville. Students of Marisela Perez and Cathleen Gonzalez will be taking pictures of the animals to record their experiences and later, the pictures will be used for individual farm books to share the experience with others. Working on a new, exciting subject is always a great way to build children’s vocabulary. Deaf students sometimes begin school with limited real-world experiences. This can impede their language acquisition and cause academic difficulties. Through Our Eyes will provide a valuable and unforgettable learning experience for these youngsters. 

       
The Migration Habitat and Life Cycle of the Butterfly   Houston Elementary students are about to become experts on butterflies. Third and fifth graders under teachers Ana Dougherty and Orfelinda Blasquez will study the migration, habitat and life cycle of the butterfly. Students will explore these fascinating creatures by planting their own butterfly garden, undergo scientific investigations and use the Internet and other sources to track the butterflies as they migrate from the northern United States down into Mexico. That’s why this Education Foundation grant is called The Migration Habitat and Life Cycle of the Butterfly. This grant will challenge students in their science, reading and math skills. Soon, folks will look to Houston students as leading authorities on these beautiful creatures -- the butterflies.

       
A Tribute to Butterflies: A living model   Science is a way of learning about the world around us. Next year, Wilson students of all ages will be helping in the creation of a butterfly garden which will be maintained throughout the entire school year. It’s called A Tribute to Butterflies: A living model and it’s made possible the Education Foundation. This grant was a team effort put together by teachers Norma Earnest, Lupita Nava, Ninfa Zavas, Janie Smythe, Ofelia Soto, Arturo Banda, Alma Garza, Sonia Oliva, Belinda de la Cruz and Wendy Grohler. These educators will guide students in pre-kinder through fifth grade as they study the way things live within an environment. Children will classify and compare living things and record changes within the ecosystem and gain a solid understanding of the way living things depend on one another. This butterfly garden will serve as a living laboratory for student studies, beautify the school and promote community involvement.    

Treasures along the Rio Grande   The Rio Grande. Many of us have only seen it for a few brief seconds at a time while driving over the bridge for a trip into Mexico. Now, thanks to a grant from the Education Foundation, second graders at Milam will be learning everything about the mighty Rio Grande. Teacher Juanita Olivarez has come up with this project she calls Treasures of the Rio Grande. Her students will follow the path of the Rio Grande from its formation in the Guadalupe Mountains to its mouth at Boca Chica near Brownsville. Children will be taking field trips to better learn about the water cycle, animals and habitats found along the Rio Grande. Students will have disposable cameras to take pictures of animals and plants, they will take water and soil samples, make comparisons and test for pollutants. The Rio Grande is important to the Valley’s ecosystem and it is vital for today’s children to be made aware of what it entails and how fragile it can be.

       
Cultural Quilting   Children in second and third grade are going to have a night of cultural literacy at Fields. Thanks to this Education Foundation grant called Cultural Quilting, students and parents will participate in an evening of storytelling. They will learn respect for cultural differences as well as learning more about their own. After reading together, students and parents will create a family quilt square and stitch it to the larger group quilt. This project, designed by librarian Sheryl Carriere, will help young children develop their literacy skills while stressing the importance of parental involvement. Parents treasure anything their children create. And making something of lasting value with their children will forge a memory and a lesson to last a lifetime.       

Flip Over Books: Fluent Readers In Progress   Crockett students are going to “flip” over books. Thanks to an Education Foundation grant called Flip Over Books: Fluent Readers In Progress, students in all grades are going to become stronger readers. If you can master reading, you can master anything because the ability to read is the key to understanding. Students are going to “buddy up” and work together to select favorite books and write original stories that they will record on tape and create a school-to-home backpack containing a cassette player, copies of the books to follow and the recorded cassette. This grant, written by teachers Diana Rangel, Noemi Solis and Eva Trigo, will improve reading fluency, speaking and listening skills. So Crockett students better get ready to “flip out” over books.    

Who’s Minding the Water Store?    The idea is to train students of today to become a more appreciative and knowledgable water-conservation minded community for tomorrow. This scientific project, funded largely by Total Fina Elf, was designed by Memorial High School teacher Joel Salinger. Students will be trained in the process of water quality monitoring. They will leave the classroom and venture into the field where they will learn water conservation techniques and take this techniques into the community. They will record data onto a data base used by many government agencies as well as professionals in water conservation and hydrology. This project will take students a long way toward understanding how science impacts their community and their future.    

Alternative Fuels: Are They a Viable Alternative?   Students in the pre-IB program at Lamar Academy are about to take a journey and answer some probing questions about alternative fuels. Thanks to the Education Foundation grant called Alternative Fuels: Are They a Viable Alternative?, students will be performing all sorts of experiments as this project asks them to realize the impact of energy transformations in everyday life. This grant was designed by IB coordinator Jeanette LeFevers. Pre-IB 8th graders will compare energy fossil fuels to alternative energy sources such as passive and active solar energy, heliocentric fuel cells, nuclear energy, wind and water energy. The purpose of the investigation is to enable students to make sound, informed decisions regarding prudent use and conservation of valuable resources. Later, they will present their findings to an audience of school officials, business leaders and community leaders. This Education Foundation grant was made possible in large part by Total Fina Elf. Thanks to them, pre-IB students will be at the forefront for high schoolers in the study of alternative fuels.   

       
Refining our Understanding of Crude Oil  IB students at Lamar Academy are about to get their hands dirty. This Education Foundation grant calls for a thorough study of crude oil. It is called Refining our Understanding of Crude Oil. This grant was largely made possible by a donation from Total Fina Elf. It will provide students with the resources to study the biological, chemical and physical aspects of crude oil. Students will examine the formation of oil deposits, detection and recovery of oil deposits, refining crude oil, the petrochemical industry, environmental concerns and conservation efforts. These young scientists will even take a field trip to an oil refinery or petrochemical plant. Furthermore, they will gain a complete understanding of everything involved with oil including the formation, the recovery and refining of crude oil. These findings will be presented to groups including school officials, business leaders and community leaders. IB students of science will come away knowing that oil is a dirty business, but someone has to do it.       

Junior Master Naturalist   McAuliffe’s fifth graders are about to become one with nature. Thanks to the Education Foundation grant known as the Junior Master Naturalist, students are going to be studying all sorts of life in the Rio Grande Valley. Students will get to use binoculars as they become versed in such topics as Seeing Nature, birds, habitats, ecosystems and wildlife communities in the Valley. Teachers Lorenz Villa, Scott Crippen, Norma Vogel, Karen Kinerk, Amy Gonzalez and Genie Rogers have designed this grant to include field trips to state parks where students will hear from real-life professional naturalists. Students will also have opportunities to volunteer for projects designed to help the environment. These lessons will incorporate language arts, math and science as well as problem-solving skills. The more students learn, the more they can make connections to the real world around them. 


 

If you have questions about the application proces, please contact Diana Montes, the Curriculum and Instruction Office.  If you have questions about the Foundation itself, please forward them to me.  Members of the Foundation Board of Directors have set aside the month of February for their fundraising campaign, monies that are used to fund the winning proposals.