Seven Du Quoin teachers awarded mini-grants by Educational Foundation

The Du Quoin District 300 Educational Foundation this spring is awarding seven mini-grants from applications received from various district staff members. The District 300 Educational Foundation mini-grant program was established to enhance, enrich, or supplement learning opportunities for students; promote student development and raise student achievement; encourage active student participation and activities; and promote active participation in the schools by community leaders. The following is a summary of the seven grants awarded through the foundation's spring 2013 mini-grant application process.

• Rebekah Reyling and Rebecca McCrary, Foreign Language Teachers at DuQuoin High School received a mini-grant award for $250.00 to fund a foreign language field trip to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to participate in a foreign language day scholar bowl competition.

n Candace Manning, an Art Teacher at DuQuoin Middle School received a mini-grant award in the amount of $208.99 to purchase an interactive projection camera to be used for various photography projects within the art curriculum at the middle school level.

• Jane Montgomery, a 5th Grade Teacher at DuQuoin Middle School received a mini-grant award in the amount of $442.54 on behalf of the Fifth Grade classrooms to provide funds for a train field trip to Centralia to study "Little Egypt" and local area history.

• Katie Pierceall, a Language Arts Teacher at DuQuoin Middle School received a mini-grant award in the amount of $425.00 to provide funds for reading materials to assist in the implementation of the Common Standards within her classroom.

• Darcy Gossett, a 1st Grade Teacher at DuQuoin Elementary School received $500 on behalf of the 1st Grade to fund field trips to the Marion Cultural and Civic Center and the Carbondale Science Center. The field trips will provide an opportunity for students to observe the play "School House Rock Live Jr." and to participate in a scientific inquiry experience for all students in 1st grade.

• Laura Krone, a 4th Grade Teacher at DuQuoin Elementary School received a mini-grant award for $439.98 to purchase an iPAD 2 that would assist her class in developing an "in-class" newspaper. The iPAD 2 would also be used as a video and still camera in the classroom by students and would assist in developing writing, speaking, and listening skills.

• Kim Loyd, 3rd Grade Teacher at DuQuoin Elementary School received a mini-grant award for $500 on behalf of the Third Grade classrooms at the elementary school for a field trip to the St. Louis Zoo. The field trip experience will assist in supporting the various science concepts and facts taught at the 3rd grade level.

These mini-grant awards culminate the sixth school year the District #300 Educational Foundation has given classroom or project grants for those staff members who apply through the mini-grant application process.