4th Quarter Robert P. Bell Education Grants Awarded

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that the following Robert P. Bell grants totaling $1,344 have been awarded to local teachers for the fourth quarterly grant cycle of the 2007-2008 academic year.  It is estimated that nearly 700 Delaware County students will benefit from these grants.

• Shanan Riegle, Yorktown Elementary School, was awarded $300 for fifth grade students to participate in a unit on entrepreneurship while using the economics concepts they have studied throughout the year.  The students will work in teams to design their own business and apply for a business loan from the classroom bank.  They will create a business plan and advertising strategy, and then sell their products to repay their loan before making any profit. 
• Beverly Masters, Muncie Central High School, was awarded $318 for eleventh grade English students to participate in a unit entitled, "How Can I Promote Acceptable Individuality in a World Where Conformity is Championed?"  The students will read Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead while focusing on the thematic message of individuality within the novel and connect it to aspects of their own lives.  The unit will culminate with students creating a multi-genre portfolio and a t-design, complete with picture and slogan, which promotes acceptable individuality in a world of conformity.
• Jennifer Conti, Royerton Elementary School, was awarded $311 for The Golden Rule Club, a voluntary group of 4^th and 5^th graders, to participate in a unit encouraging students to engage in acts of kindness.  As part of the project, students will visit a local nursing home to donate care packages and will recognize school staff members during a staff appreciation week this spring.
• Fran Short & Stefanie Onieal, Westview Elementary School, were awarded $185 for students to participate in a unit based upon the book Because of Winn Dixie.  After reading the story, students will write a response, map important Muncie landmarks, and visit local historical sites that share a connection to the setting of the story.  The students will also be making some of the recipes shared in the book, including Winn Dixie's Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats.  The students' finished dog treats will be donated to local animal rescue agencies.
• Misty Stewart & Cindy Morgan, Delaware Community School Corporation, were awarded $230 for every student in grades K-5 to create a visual reminder of the rules studies in the schools' Character Education Program.  Each students will created a beaded necklace to remind them to always follow the MOP rules (respecting me, others, and property.)

Bell Grants of up to $350 are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs or projects designed to stimulate learning in their students.  The first deadline for next academic year's Bell Grant applications is October 1, 2008.  Other 2008 - 2009 academic year deadlines are December 1, 2008; February 1, 2009; April 1, 2009.

For more information about Bell Grant applications, contact Suzanne Kadinger, Foundation Program Officer, at skadinger@cfmdin.org or by calling (765) 747-7181.