The Foundation for Excellence Owensboro Independent Schools Awards Over $14,600 in Grants to OPS Schools For media release after 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Board Chair Michael Moore of the Foundation for Excellence Owensboro Independent Schools announced the recipients of the mini-grants for school year 2018-2019 at the Staff Opening Day Celebration for all Owensboro Public Schools employees on Tuesday, August 7th, at Owensboro High School. Foundation Board members presented ceremonial checks to each recipient. They are as follows: Estes Elementary School – $633.34 for Conscious Discipline, Special Education – Nikki Simpson, teacher Estes Elementary School – $699.30 for Conscious Discipline, Early Learning Academy – Melissa Seaton, teacher Estes Elementary School – $1,500 for Owensboro Kids Magazine – Faith Harralson and Lauren Magill, teachers Foust Elementary School – $1,000 for Foust Store Economy – Melissa Stahler, teacher Foust Elementary School – $1,500 for Success with Series Reading – Adrianne Condray, teacher Newton Parrish Elementary School – $435.80 for 60 Recorder Instruments and Music Books – Elizabeth Tullis, teacher Cravens Elementary School – $1,000 for EdMark Reading Program, Special Education – Ashley Jaiswal, teacher Cravens Elementary School – $600 for PAWS Club Mentor Project – Emily Brown and Ann-Michael Hamilton, teachers Sutton Elementary School – $2,000 for Kindergarten STEM Projects – Crystal Richards, Tiffany Hoffman, Mary Booth, and Susan Bratcher, teachers Owensboro High School – $500 for Snack Shack, Special Education – Amy Harper, teacher Owensboro High School – $500 for Early Childhood Education Pathways – Jennifer Busse, teacher Owensboro High School – $1,500 for College Readiness Opportunities – Monica Rice and Michelle Mayfield, teachers Cravens Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Estes Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Foust Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Newton Parrish Elem. School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Sutton Elementary School – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Hager Preschool – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs 450 Griffith Avenue Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 (270) 686-1000 Owensboro Middle School South – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Owensboro Middle School North – $250 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Owensboro Innovation Academy – $125 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Gateway Academy – $125 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Owensboro High School – $500 for Instructional Supplies and Programs Total: $14,618.44 220 OPS employees donated over $14,000 to the Foundation during school year 2017- 2018. This includes contributions from teachers, aides, and administrators, as well as many cafeteria, maintenance, and office employees – most from regular payroll deductions. The Foundation Board of Trustees votes to give back at least the same amount, if not more, that employees have donated in the form of innovative mini-grants to each school on a yearly basis. The OPS district has 30% employee participation in Foundation contributions which is a very high rate for K-12 schools, according to the National School Foundation Association. This shows the depth of caring from our employees and the acknowledgement of the many needs involved.