San Angelo Teachers Receive a Gift of Grants

A little after 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, members from the San Angelo Schools Foundation delivered grants to 73 teachers across 21 different campuses, and a $1,000 grant to one school campus. This was the biggest delivery in the history of the Foundation, said Jamie Highsmith, public information officer for the San Angelo Independent School District.

“Principals and teachers are always thrilled to receive the grant money,” Highsmith said.

Highsmith joined in on the deliveries made to Goliad, Holiman, Lincoln and San Jacinto Elementary Tuesday morning to witness the awarding process. The grant award amounts ranged from $95 - $500 for the teachers, and Holiman Elementary received the $1,000 award. The total amount awarded was $29,310.

“The grants represent the fulfillment of wishes, dreams and hopes for the enrichment of classroom experiences,” the PIO stated. “Much thought, discussion and creative planning are poured into writing the grants. Student learning is enhanced by taking curriculum to an expanded level.”

Highsmith added that the San Angelo Schools Foundation (SASF) was created in 1986 to support innovative academic opportunities for children of SAISD.

The Foundation’s major initiatives are Grants to Teachers and Scholarships to Students. Grants to Teachers is funded through several fundraisers held by the Foundation, and grants are awarded once a year to teachers to enhance and enrich classroom instruction. SASF board and community volunteers determine the awards.

Last year the Schools Foundation awarded $20,000 to 60 teachers on 17 campuses, so this year provided a nice increase, Highsmith said.

She said, “The reason this increase was possible is that the Foundation had the most successful fundraiser dinner in its history last March.”

Highsmith added that the district hopes the grants will foster increased interest and motivation, and will possibly ignite a spark of passion that will expand students’ horizons and lead to increased life-long learning experiences.