Education Foundation Announces Grant Winners

 The Bucyrus Education Foundation is happy to announce the 2010-2011 Bridges award recipient. Third-grade teacher, Kim Haldeman, was awarded $1,000 for her hard work and dedication to students both in and out of the classroom.

“I’ve received mini-grants before, but winning the Bridges award was extremely special,” Haldeman said. “It’s an honor when you are nominated for something so prestigious; it’s a validation from someone in the community that they believe in you and what you’re doing in the classroom.”

According to Haldeman, money from the grant will be used to fund “A Kid’s Guide to Bucyrus,” a studentwritten resource highlighting and explaining an array of both fun and educational resources available to children in the area. “Having grown up in this community, I’ve witnessed many negative changes that have occurred over the years. As a teacher, I believe it’s important for our students to know that there are positive things do to in the community; that there are options outside of drugs and violence. I’m hoping this guide will open students’ eyes to that.” Once the books are completed, Haldeman’s class will have them professionally printed, bound and distributed to the entire elementary school student body.

The Bridges award is given each year in memory of John and Grace Bridges, long-time residents of Bucyrus and strong supporters of the school system in Crawford County. This special award provides grants to local teachers that will enrich the classroom programs and broaden the educational experience of the young minds of students in the Bucyrus system.

The Bucyrus Education Foundation is also pleased to announce three additional mini-grants awarded to the following staff members: Multiple Handicap teacher Nichole Helenthal, Family Advocate Marie Stuckman and Gifted Intervention Specialist Carissa Wiedle.

“I applaud these staff members for exploring different funding avenues to provide their students with additional recourses,” Bucyrus City Schools Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “I would also like to thank the Bucyrus Education Foundation for providing these mini-grant opportunities for our staff members.”

Helenthal will use the grant to purchase Touch Math Money, a program aimed at teaching the concept of math through an array of hands-on activities.

Stuckman will use the grant to help purchase items for the Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) program at the elementary school.

Wiedle will use the grant to support a new academic challenge team at the elementary school, in which students in grades four through six will compete against other area schools to answer questions about math, science, reading and social studies.

For more information regarding the Bucyrus Education Foundation, contact Scott Barkhurst at scott@travelsandjourneys.com.