Photographed: Gina Welsh; Michelle Pourchot, Principal at Wollam Elementary; Tracy Kubicki, 4th Grade Teacher; Renee Rockers, Foundation President and Texas First Bank.
SANTA FE, TX – The much-anticipated annual parade went off without a hitch despite the global pandemic. Educators and students in Santa Fe ISD have been awarded with over $33,000 in Grants for Great Ideas on Friday, November 20, during their annual Grant Parade. Due to the pandemic, only the Santa Fe TX Education Foundation board members shuttled to and paraded through all five campuses, knocking on each recipient’s classroom door to surprise them with a check. The generous partners at Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union sponsored the day with 2020 Survival Baskets, cookie cakes, and more to celebrate the recipients during the Grant Parade.
The Foundation surprised five teachers, for a little over $15,000, at Santa Fe High School for projects such as an EKG simulator so that students in the CNA program can receive their EKG certification, digital microscopes and camera to look as deep as DNA structure, welding equipment for students to earn their welding certification for employment, foreign language and ESL books for our multi-lingual students, and books for the library.
“This gives the Biology team new opportunities with the students. Science is the field of visual exploration and these microscopes will allow the students to study life in a more meaningful way,” said Biology Teacher Stephanie Iven.
“This grant will allow us to purchase welding equipment that will enable our students to learn and earn industry certifications that will make them competitive for high demand, high earning careers in the skilled trades field. Thanks again!,” said Agricultural Science Teacher Brandon Noto.
Santa Fe Junior High received over $2,700 in grants for a collection of sports books for the library and a live surgery presentation through Kentucky Science Center!
Kubacak Elementary received three grants for a total of over $4,600. These include a Pre-K through 5th library books, xylophone bass bars for the music department, and ipads and osmobots for the Alternative Learning Center students.
“I could not wait until after Thanksgiving to say how thankful I am for the Education Foundation. Your generous donation will almost double our Board Book Collection! The little ones will be so excited to choose from a whole new set of books when they visit the library. Our sports-lovers of all ages will finally be able to read current books about their favorite baseball and football teams/athletes!,” said Kubacak Elementary Librarian Karen “Dede” McLaughlin.
Wollam Elementary received over $7,300 with a field trip for the entire Pre-K through 5th grade campus brought to the school by the Crocodile Encounter presenters, an outdoor learning center/garden for all grade levels for hands on learning, and library books for Pre-K through 5th grade students.
“I greatly appreciate this awesome opportunity to give our students such an amazing experience with various wildlife animals such as crocodiles and snakes without leaving Wollam Elementary. With this school year being so different, it is great that we are still able to provide our students with an enriching opportunity. All students at Wollam will be able to experience an up close and personal traveling educational animal show from the Crocodile Encounter. Thank you to the Santa Fe Education Foundation for choosing my grant,” said 1st Grade Teacher and Team Leader Toni Green.
Barnett Elementary received over $3,700 for 3-D design model magic clay for the art department and library books for all Pre-K through 5th grade students.
“It is important to us as an Education Foundation to invest in these students. Santa Fe has deep roots with many alumni raising their children here and we want to grow leaders for our future generations. We are so proud to give back to the Santa Fe schools, it’s what we do,” said Executive Director Gina Welsh.
2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Education Foundation and their mission has always been to fund innovative programs in Santa Fe ISD. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dependent upon support of businesses and the community to directly support the teachers, staff, and students in Santa Fe ISD through Grants for Great Ideas and other programs.
“Providing the Grants for Great Ideas cycle during the pandemic was very important to us as a Foundation. Our educators are experiencing more than ever before, never wavering at the challenges and obstacles presented through the virtual and face-to-face learning environment. Our educators need support now more than ever,” said Welch.
She added, “We have to be even more creative to enhance the learning landscape during these unprecedented times. The educators and staff in Santa Fe ISD have done an exceptional job and we could not be more proud of the work they continue to do. It has been important to us to continue as close to “business as usual” since the pandemic began. It hasn’t come without its challenges as a nonprofit organization and we are experiencing a shortfall for sure. Hosting this parade a month earlier than usual will enable these grants to make an impact in Santa Fe ISD this school year.
2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Education Foundation and their goal has always been to fund innovative programs in Santa Fe ISD. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dependent upon support of businesses and the community to directly support the teachers, staff, and students in Santa Fe ISD through Grants for Great Ideas and other programs.
About the Santa Fe TX Education Foundation
The Santa Fe Texas Education Foundation CULTIVATES and NURTURES the culture of generosity in our community, IGNITES exemplary experiences for every student and teacher, and INSPIRES the achievement of lifelong success. Incorporated in 2010 as a response to the local need for increased community involvement and support for public education, our non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization has reached a milestone of celebrating 10 years of serving Santa Fe ISD. Today, the Foundation supports more than 700 employees and 4,200 students in Santa Fe ISD. Programs including Grants for Great Ideas, Classroom Wish Lists, End-of-Year Excellence Awards, The Reading Tree, STREAM, and Robotics are all supported by the Foundation. To learn more about what we do, visit www.santafetxedfoundation.org. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @sftxef.
