The Carthage ISD Education Foundation's annual Grant Patrol Bus toured all Carthage ISD campuses on Friday, awarding $253,964.67 to educators supporting innovative education initiatives across the district.
Committed to improving the learning experience for students, the Foundation has funded a range of exciting projects that promise to enrich the curriculum and engage learners in unique ways.
“This day holds a special place in my heart as I witnessed the priceless excitement shining on the faces of our students,” said Cynthia Harkrider, executive director of the Carthage ISD Educational Foundation. . “We are truly blessed to live in such an incredibly generous community in Carthage, and we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our donors.”
Among the projects funded this year is “The Bulldog Buzz,” an innovative course focused on beekeeping and honey production at Carthage High School. This innovative program aims to provide students with hands-on experience in a rapidly growing industry while developing skills in environmental management and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, this grant introduced food trucks to CHS' culinary program, allowing students to gain hands-on culinary experience through real-world applications. This initiative not only improves their cooking skills but also develops their entrepreneurial spirit in managing and operating a food truck.
Additionally, a variety of hands-on activities are supported across multiple campuses to enrich instruction and provide interactive learning opportunities for students. From science experiments to artistic endeavors, these activities complement classroom learning and encourage students' creativity and critical thinking.
Carthage Elementary School continues its focus on early literacy development and will be introducing new book vending machines. Through this initiative, students will have the opportunity to earn special tokens and “buy” their favorite books, promoting literacy and instilling a love of reading from an early age.
Foundation grants also facilitate travel to educational settings, allowing students to explore beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in experiential learning. These field trips broaden your horizons, deepen your understanding of different subjects, and make your learning memorable and meaningful.
“We are thrilled that the Education Foundation has chosen to fund these excellent projects that will undoubtedly improve the educational experience for our students,” said Superintendent Jarrod Vitter. “These grants exemplify our commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in our classrooms, and we are thrilled to live in a place with such great community support for our school system. I am very grateful for that.”
Carthage Elementary School received 11 grants totaling more than $41,000, Libby Elementary School received 13 grants totaling more than $42,000, Baker Coons Middle School received 15 grants totaling more than $49,000, and Carthage Elementary School received 15 grants totaling more than $49,000. The middle school received eight grants totaling more than $39,000 and Carthage High School received eight grants totaling more than $39,000. received 18 of her grants totaling more than $75,000, and PACE Academy received one of her $5,000 grants.
The Carthage ISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to provide financial support to teachers and students in the district. The foundation relies on donations from the community, local businesses and individuals to fund its programs and initiatives.