Several teachers received grants from the RCS Education Foundation at the Nov. 7 RHS football game. Pictured are (L to R): Foundation board member Chris Wallace, Debbie Nale, Monica Moon, Megan Swaim, Talitha Fleming, Tiffany Bohannon, and Foundation board member Kristy Gist. Photo by Teresa Stough.

Several teachers in the Russellville City school system recently received much-needed funding for their classrooms thanks to the Russellville City Schools Education Foundation.

The grants, which were formally presented at the RHS football game on Nov. 7, will help with projects ranging from classroom technology to microscopes and many things in between.

The RCS Education Foundation has been helping teachers help their students for more than two years because a group of people saw the need for a foundation through which supportive and benevolent friends of the Russellville city schools could contribute financially to the system with tax deductible benefits.

After looking into the issue and trying to find supporters, the Russellville City Schools Education Foundation was finally established in May 2012.

The foundation, which is a non-profit organization, is not a function of the city school board and the money generated is not used to help pay teacher salaries, benefits, or to aid the schools’ athletic programs.

Instead, the money goes to help with things such as classroom supplies, classroom technology and scholarships for deserving seniors.

Teachers write and apply for these grants, and the latest grants were presented to the following teachers on Nov. 7 for various projects:

• Megan Swaim, Talitha Fleming, Tiffany Bohannon – Received grants for the kindergarten teachers at West Elementary School to purchase Ziggi HDs, which can assist teachers as they demonstrate work and make it easier for students to see and understand, therefore cutting down on student frustration. It allows work to be magnified and displayed onto a white wall or board and is a valuable teaching tool for a kindergarten teacher.
• Monica Moon – Received a grant to equip the computer lab at West Elementary School with 30 sets of headphones that will be a great asset to students as they use the computer lab.
• Deborah Nale – Received a grant to purchase a computer cart for laptops in the RHS Media Center. The computer cart will allow the media center staff to be more flexible for assisting classes needing to use computers for different purposes and objectives.

Other teachers receiving grants who were not able to attend the grant presentation on Nov. 7 include:

• Michael McCandless – Received a grant to purchase a document camera, which can be coupled with an LED projector and a Smartboard for the purpose of showing students things that are too small to be seen from their seats. This technology serves all students well but especially those with special needs. Observing what the teacher is explaining makes for effective and efficient teaching.
• Diane Maddox – Received a grant to fund a writing unit, including student-generated poetry, essays, and other creative writing. Most of the works will be illustrated and some will include photographs. At the conclusion of the project, each student will have a personal, “take-home” book.
• Suzette Hallmark – Received a grant to purchase a microscope with camera, which will allow the teacher to conduct class demonstrations and lessons. Cameras on microscopes open a whole new way to present lessons that will benefit entire classes of students during one setting.
• John Smith, Jr. – Received a grant to fund materials for teaching a first aid/ health class. This grant will allow materials to be purchased that will enhance the curriculum presently in place for health education.