Thirty-six grant applications, with representatives from all twelve elementary schools in the district, have been approved by The City Schools Foundation and will be fully funded.

The Foundation asks educators from the Murfreesboro City Schools System to submit short proposals for funding that will help them acquire technology or resources not ordinarily provided by taxpayer dollars. “We were all very pleased to see that at least one grant was approved for each school in the system. Because grants are submitted anonymously, they are judged solely on their merit. It is a testament to the entire system that all of the schools are represented this year”, said Foundation chairman, David LaRoche.

The youngest school in the system, Overall Creek Elementary, was awarded $6,104 for a grant titled “Erasing Carbon Footprints via Lab Ecology.” According to the grant writer, Rachel Everett, “As a fifth grade teacher I am helping to create a science lab rich in hand-on material that would allow all students the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature’s bounty. A new lab is in need of basically everything – from test tubes, microscopes, stands with grow lights for plants, and safety equipment for the students.”

This year, two grants were awarded that benefit children throughout the entire system. Gifted Services Coordinator Lea Bartch will receive funding for new “M3” mathematics teaching materials. Sheri Arnette, coordinator of teaching and learning, will receive a new set of “Read Aloud” books designed to teach and reinforce students’ vocabulary.

The foundation will distribute approximately $50,000.00 in this round of grant approvals. The money was raised at the “Excellence in Education” dinner, honoring community volunteers Dr. Sidney and Elizabeth McPhee, as well as a celebrity fashion show, both held earlier this year

To date, the Foundation has awarded approximately $400,000 in parity and grants to teachers to enhance science, math and other programs. The City Schools Foundation is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Chartered in 2005, the Foundation was created by volunteers from the community who wanted to supplement the resources available to the Murfreesboro City Schools System.