News delivered by members of the Cleburne Education Foundation were greeted with smiles, claps and cheers by 12 Cleburne ISD teachers who are the recipients of Mini Grant awards.

                “We were pleased to present these awards, which were selected from applications we received from teachers and staff who want to do new and different things in the classroom, in taking student engagement and learning to an even higher level,” CEF Executive Director Paige Harris said. “With all our teachers having so much on their plates this year, we were excited so many took the time to apply.”

                Harris made a report on the $5,187 presented in mini grant funding to CISD trustees at Monday’s school board meeting.

                “We have the best teachers,” Harris said. “They are so enthusiastic, so creative and want to do the best for their students.”

                The 2020 mini grants, which have a maximum award amount of $500, will fund a variety of classroom wishes, from heavy-duty headphones to a robotics competition ring.

                “The Cleburne Education Foundation wants to do their best on behalf of our students,” CISD School Board President Elizabeth Childress said. “We are so blessed to have them in our community.”

                Grant honorees and their projects include Bianca Moser, Marti Elementary kindergarten teacher, who submitted a proposal on behalf of her grade level educators, with each classroom to receive magnetic numbers and counters to assist students with their math skills.

                Veronica Fonseca, instructional paraprofessional at Marti, received a $500 grant for tools to assist in stress management and strategies for students.

                Four Irving Elementary teachers are among the grant honorees including Patricia Scheler who submitted a proposal for headphones for the entire second grade as they work on phonics and listen to stories on their Chromebooks.

                Fellow teacher Glynis Oliver was awarded $233 for story books in teaching phonics. Kindergarten teacher Victoria Solis will add a color printer to her classroom to be used as students create books from the stories they have written.

                The grant award presented to Irving pre-kindergarten teacher Waleska Hernandez-Marrero will be used to purchase board games and puzzles to keep students engaged when the weather keeps them indoors for recess.

                Adams Elementary library aide Cyndi Herring will be adding Ebook science bundles on planets and weather for readers in Pre-k through fifth grade. Smith Middle School Librarian Stacie Maples is also among the grant honorees, receiving $500 for picture books for Life Skills readers.

                The robotics program at Wheat Middle School will be receiving funds for a competition ring and mat to help students develop their skills in controlling and manipulation of their robots for tasks and challenges—including some friendly competitions.  The proposal was submitted by robotics teacher Gwenda Davis.

                Kindergarten students at Santa Fe Elementary will also be engaged in science, technology, engineering and math through a $481 award to teacher Joy Russel for manipulative building sets.

                Coleman Elementary students will be producing and presenting the daily school announcements for their Colt viewing audience using a grant presented to PE teacher Brooke Bybee for microphones and an iPad stand.

                A $500 grant for Chromebook headphones will benefit 170 students in grades 9-12 enrolled in Conversational Spanish at Cleburne High School. The award was presented to Spanish teacher Ruth Rios.