Not only is the total of the grants a new record, it is a milestone for the Vandalia-Butler Foundation.
“We set a goal years ago to fund $20,000 in grants by 2020, and, thanks to the generous support of businesses, families, individuals and teachers, we surpassed it,” said Jean Maychack, president of the Vandalia-Butler Foundation. “This is a testament to the generosity of our community — and the belief that a quality education is a stepping stone to success in work and life,” she said.
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“It’s also a testament to the leadership of Greg Toman and the Foundation’s education committee who devote considerable energy and time toward raising money and awareness about the difference these grants can make in the lives of teachers and children,” Maychack said.
The Vandalia-Butler Foundation released a list of this year’s education grants:
- $11,259 to Butler High School — $5,000 for materials and supplies for new biomedical sciences classes in the Project Lead the Way curriculum; $3,845 for lighting improvements in the Performing Arts Theatre; $2,258 for studio-quality computers for media production classes; and $156 for a real-life math curriculum aid.
- $7,384 to Smith Middle School — all enhancements for a widely used vocal and instrumental music curriculum, including a soprano xylophone, 45 ukuleles, vocal and instrumental music, music notation board and a storage cart for music stands.
- $3,000 to Helke Elementary School — $2,100 for a Muse Machine artist-in-residence for first graders to work with a professional actor to create an original script, music and choreography for a live production and $900 to help fund a third grade trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum, particularly for families who cannot afford the extra expense.
- $1,833 to Demmitt Elementary School — $1,183 for speech-language assessment kits and $650 for communication devices, largely to assist students with special needs.
- $600 to Vandalia Preschool — a climbing apparatus and other outdoor play items to build gross motor skills.
Greg Toman, who coordinated the selection process for the grants, said they were able to fund every grant application they received this year.
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“It’s a privilege to help support creative teaching opportunities and spark a love of learning in children,” he said.
Most of the funding, $16,898, came from the VISONS Endowment Fund. Other grants were supported by the Cotterman Fund, A.R.T.S. Fund and the Mary Ann Wietzel “What’s In It For Kids?” Fund.
Since 2002, the Butler-Vandalia Foundation has granted more over $120,000 to support learning opportunities within the school district.
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