Nov. 13, 2008 – The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) awarded $20,549 in grants from the Anderson Family Fund for Education to 25 teachers from16 public schools on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. The grants, which range from $300 to $1,000, are intended to enhance learning opportunities for students. Since 2002, the Anderson Family Fund for Education at CFVI has awarded more than $145,000 in teacher grants throughout the territory.
The committee was excited about the various teacher initiatives that support music, arts and the environment. By funding instruments, art supplies, cultural field trips and equipment, the committee hopes to give teachers the tools they need to inspire student creativity.
"An evaluation committee reviewed 65 proposals received from an impressive pool of applicants. Priority was given to those proposals where students would be directly involved in the project, or where creative strategies and activities are used to improve student learning, and finally, where outcomes are measurable and substantive. The attached list outlines the funded proposals," said CFVI's president, Dee Baecher-Brown.
"It is our pleasure to assist Virgin Islands' public school teachers and students for the seventh year by awarding these Anderson Family Teacher Grants," said John Anderson Sr., Chairman of Topa Equities Ltd. in Los Angeles. "The creativity and thoughtfulness of the projects that teachers are able to offer their students with the help of these grants makes the giving even more rewarding for us."
The annual teacher grant program administered by CFVI is made possible through the generosity of John E. Anderson Sr. and funded by St. Thomas-based Topa Properties Ltd.
The Anderson Family Fund for Education was established in 2002 to support a wide array of educational enrichment programs for the students of the Virgin Islands public schools which are unavailable as part of the regular school curriculum.
The Anderson Family Fund for Education is one of more than 90 named funds at CFVI providing scholarships, grants and supporting programs in the USVI. Individuals or businesses wishing to know more about CFVI should call 774-6031, or visit their Web site at www.cfvi.net
2008 Anderson Teacher Grant Recipients
Laurise Oliver, Alexander Henderson Elementary School
Harmonious Scholars, $1,000
Learning to play a musical instrument will enhance students' ability to think, learn, and create. Funding will purchase a percussion set, two meallophones, and two xylophones.
Linda Perez, Alfredo Andrews Elementary School
Parent Resource Room, $988
This project is designed to increase parent involvement and support in their children's education. Funding will help to purchase furniture and supplies for a parent resource room that will provide a learning environment for the parents and their children.
Jessica J. Parker, Arthur Richards Junior High School
Shipping Out: Exploring St. Croix through Art Field Trips, $1,000
Through field trips students will discover new aspects of West Indies culture, build self- esteem, and experience the rich history of the island. Funding will help with transportation costs, art supplies and fundraising.
Claudia T. Graham, Charles H. Emanuel Elementary School
Chenes Drama Club, $1,000
The drama club for grades 4-6 will include two productions and expose students to different aspects of theater. Funding will go towards costumes and props.
Mervelle A. Sage, Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School
I Have Feelings, $1,000
Students will publish a collaborative book of poems on feelings as a vehicle to learn poetic forms, and promote an alternate outlet to fighting and bullying. Funding will support the costs for printing, binding, publishing, journals, laser jet printer, and a camera.
Frederick E. Williams, Ricardo Richards Elementary School
Ricardo Richards Creative Arts Ensemble, $980
The Creative Arts Ensemble promotes orchestral performances on St. Croix and intends to grow its mini orchestra to a full string orchestra with the addition of five violins and one viola.
Dalton Carty, Jr., Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School
BCB Reflector (School Magazine), $1,000
BCB Reflector will appraise students of issues involved in journalism and magazine publishing. Funding will go towards paper, ink, cameras, publishing software, printer, pens, and notepads.
Edwin Forbes, Charlotte Amalie High School
Home Maintenance, $1,000
Funding will purchase the necessary cooking equipment for special need students to learn cooking and cleaning for life skills and employment.
Carol Mestemaker, Charlotte Amalie High School
CAHS 'On the Job Training' Uniforms, $750
This is a work program for special education students to learn job related skills while providing assistance to the teachers. Funding will supply nametags and polo shirts.
Norma B. Sapla, Charlotte Amalie High School
Enhance Daily Living Skills, $500
This program caters to five students with multiple disabilities to improve gross motor skills, social and communication skills. Funding will purchase massagers, puzzles, clock, books, printer, CD player, musical toys, markers and other equipment.
Daril Scott, Charlotte Amalie High School
Music Education, $500
With funding for a microphone, keyboard, and music recording software students will have access to and immersion in recording activities in music.
Jerome Brown, Eudora Kean High School
Broadcast Communication, $1,000
This project hopes to educate and prepare students for careers in the music industry while preserving musical heritage. Students will convert the schools LP albums to CDs for a weekly radio program. Funding will purchase CD burners, label makers, and blank CDs.
Allron Monsanto, Eudora Kean High School
Devil Rays Stomp Team, $750
This program uses stepping to demonstrate life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and commitment. Funding will provide for uniforms, canes and other necessary equipment.
Francis M. Rutnik, Eudora Kean High School
Fine Art at Kean, $1,000
Students in advanced placement studio art will design a Web site to display their art and feature art accomplishments, current events, and alumni news. Funding will provide for Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Joanne Saunders, Evelyn E. Marcelli Elementary School
Art Rainbow and Performing Arts Club, $800
This is a daily lunch time/recess activity where kids are exposed to three forms of art: primary art, architecture, and dance. Funding will provide dance uniforms and props, building materials for the Block-Building Program, and supplies for the Arts Rainbow Club.
Annabelle C. Balgua, Interant Special Education Teacher
Assessment Tools and Follow Up Materials, $1,000
Program will assess and give services to children who qualify for special services. Funding will purchase assessment materials, Braille products, puzzles, and cubes.
Debra P. Sharpe, J. Antonio Jarvis Primary School
Token Economy Behavior Modification, $500
A token economy is a form of behavior modification designed to increase desirable behavior by rewarding positive behavior with tokens that can be exchanged for a meaningful object or priviledge. Funding will purchase tokens, games, toys, and books.
Merla Pellano, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School
Therapeutic Kindergarten and Modified Instruction, $1,000
Funding provides materials and equipment to help students develop functional and life skills to cope with societal demands.
Tiana E. Wilson, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School
Art Enrichment Club, $500
Students work on projects such as painting, drawing, sketching, printmaking, and textiles. Funding provides for colored pencils, crayons, paint, canvas, art prints and other art supplies.
Alyssa N
iles-Johnson, Joseph Gomez Elementary School
Reading is Great in 2008, $390
Project emphasizes the importance of phonics and basic skills within the realm of reading. Funding will purchase read-a-longs and reading software.
Yvonne Potter, Joseph Gomez Elementary School
Third Grade Reading Rockets, $391
Students read on-level nonfiction newspapers to build critical thinking, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills. Funding will provide for 90 subscriptions to Scholastic News.
Eugenia Cruse, Ulla F. Muller Elementary School
Buddy Reading, $1,000
Funding will provide award winning books for students in grades 4-6 to read with students from Kindergarten-1st grade. In this project both sets of readers benefit.
Phyllis Rey-Bryan, Ulla F. Muller Elementary School
Aspiring Scientists of the Virgin Islands, $500
This is an after school club where students conduct research during fieldtrips to the Intertidal Zone and the Mangrove Trail using a camera to photograph scientific steps, and then collect data, and present findings. Funding provides for a digital camera, color print, ink cartridges, and photo shop.
Ophelia Shillingford, Ulla F. Muller Elementary School
Principal's Reading Club, $1,000
Children from K-6th grades make appointments to read with the school Principal. Funding provides for books, certificates, buttons, color printer, and pencils.
Kiri Catta, Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School
Kids Adventures, $1,000
Program will enhance students knowledge of VI history and expose students to tourism industry. Funding provides for island tours and admission fees.
