NISD Education Foundation distributes grants

Navasota Independent School District Education Foundation distributed over $19,000 in grants to campuses Thursday, Jan. 27.

Since 2003, Navasota ISD Education Foundation has awarded over $1-million in grants. This year six grants were awarded ranging from puppet theatre to a jazz ensemble.

The top grant awarded this year was the Jazzin it Up grant, awarded to David Holland and Marcus Roberts. $4,987.51 was awarded to pay for instruments to start a jazz ensemble program at Navasota High School. Holland said the ensemble will provide opportunities for students to enrich their music education outside of marching band and concert band. Holland anticipates the ensemble to perform for the community this spring.

List of Grants awarded

Finding a New "Tradition" with Musical Theatre ($4, 795). Grant writers included Stephanie Fitzsimon, Elmer Jackson, Nichole Phillips, and Jenna Drummond of Navasota High School. The grant wi ll allow performing arts student to see a Broadway touring company of "Fiddler on the Roof' at MSC OPAS at Rudder theatre in College Station. Students from choir, dance, and theatre, will be invited to see this Broadway touring musical. Students will see first-hand how they can use their talents as a possible future career.

Place of Dynamic Learning ($3,569.60). Grant writers included Amy Carpentier and Vaniken Leggett of Brule Elementary. The grant will offer flexible seating for students. Flexible seating accommodates students with the need to move in order to stay engaged, integrate technology, the state standards, and collaboration amongst peers which prepares students for challenging jobs in the future.

Little Fingers Big Lessons ($3,332.70). Grant writers included Traci Colbert, Amanda Reyes, and Marybel Daniels of John C. Webb Elementary. This grant provides an interactive touch screen, similar to a giant iPad, for the early childhood class to use in group lessons, small group or one-on-one learning. Students are able to focus on the learning and mastery of the concept and less on how to manipulate a typical device such as a laptop or iPad.

Get Your Motor Running ($2,001.70). Grant writers included Lauren Julian, Jessica Levy, and Trina Wenzel of High Point Elementary. The grant encourages children to build gross motor skills by riding tricycles, scooters, and other child-powered ride-on equipment. Each student will have the opportunity to benefit from the grant despite physical limitations. Julian said one student doesn't have the use of her legs, so she will have a special tricycle that will be powered using her hands and arms.

The Magic of Puppet Theatre ($776.44). Stephanie Fitzsimon, of Navasota High School was the grant writer. This grant allows the purchase of puppets that will teach theatre students a new theatrical form. Puppets are similar to those used on classic shows, Sesame Street and The Muppets. Sh1dents will be able to create plays that can be performed for elementary students with positive themes including manners, respect, anti-bullying, and living drug free lives.

Each year the NISD Education Foundation hosts an annual dinner with proceeds invested back into the students ofNISD. Find out more information about NISD Education Foundation by visiting www.navasotaisd.org or follow the Navasota ISD Education Foundation Facebook page.