Teachers from 52 different schools were surprised with a $125,000 grant from the Plano ISD Education Foundation and business sponsors according to the Plano Independent School District website. In it they say,
“Amid tears of joy and celebratory cheers, 102 Plano ISD teachers in 52 schools were surprised on Friday, November 5 with 2021 Grants to Educators totaling $125,000. Funded annually by the Plano ISD Education Foundation and business sponsors, these grants help Plano ISD educators enhance instruction in schools and classrooms across the district.
“This truly is a fantastic day because we love seeing our teachers’ exuberance and appreciation as we present them with these grants that really symbolize that we believe in them and in the work that they are doing for our Plano ISD students,” stated Plano ISD Education Foundation Senior Executive Director Jamee Jolly.
The grant process began weeks ago as educators across the district were invited to apply. Grant applications were judged by a crew of volunteers who completed a scoring rubric that aimed to rate applications on important elements like expected outcomes and how the grant money will be spent. Details regarding the research behind the requests as well as how projects support the Plano ISD strategic plan were also required in the applications.“
The grant from the Plano ISD Education Foundation and business sponsors will be utilized accordingly by the grantees in whichever field and wherever they chose to as long as it will help with the students’ education according to a Community Impact article from November 9 which reports,
“Spread across 52 district schools, teachers at all grade levels received grants funded by the education foundation and business sponsors for proposed field trips, libraries, special education and more.
The largest grant was for $3,000 awarded to Nancy Shaw at Jackson Elementary School. The money will pay for books for Title I students at 19 PISD elementary schools. The smallest grant was for $220 awarded to Carla McCraw at Brinker Elementary School to purchase miniature objects for special education students in the Verbal-Behavioral Milestone and Placement Program.”
The $125,000 grant was made possible not only by the Plano ISD but also with different business sponsors and fundraising events which made significant contributions according to a Plano Magazine article from November 24 which says,
“Among this year’s corporate sponsors were Toyota, Park Place Lexus, H-E-B and the CoServ Charitable Foundation.
The Education Foundation’s portion of the grants were funded through annual events and fundraisers, such as the SKI (Supporting Kids In) Plano event, Community Honor Roll Heros campaign, the annual North Texas Giving Day Campaign, as well as the Plano ISD employee campaign.
SKI Plano, the foundation’s largest fundraising event, is open to the public and will be held on February 5, 2022.”
The foundation’s ongoing efforts and events to further fund programs, grants and assistance can be viewed on the Plano Independent School District education Foundation website.