BCEF’s Fall 2024 Grants Total $5,000 Among Three Recipients

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The Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its fall grants to staff at the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC). This program allows up to $5,000 to be awarded each fall to projects selected by a committee of foundation board members, according to BCEF executive director Anne Wilson.

Grants awarded were:

  • Special education teacher Nicole Gross at Batesville Middle School (BMS) was awarded $1,192.50 to purchase six whiteboard desks for her special education classroom. These desks will help students who need extra support by providing visual aids and checklists right at their desks. They will also make it easier for teachers to review student work and easily assist students’ individual needs. Overall, these desks will support student learning and improve their access to the general education curriculum.
  • $819.26 was awarded to Batesville Intermediate School teacher Brenda Skinner to purchase supplies and develop an “After School with the ARTS” club to reach kids with varying interests who either can’t participate or who are not interested in traditional after-school opportunities. This goal is directly aligned with the new Bulldog Ready Portrait of a Graduate, as it expands the reach of the students into nontraditional after-school clubs. Ideas include art, flowers, and choir, all at no cost to the student.
  • Partial funding in the amount of $2988.24 to purchase freestanding mirrors was awarded to Dan Borns, director of Batesville Choir, specifically for choreography work by the show choir, Batesville Singers. Currently, Batesville Singers does the majority of its choreography work at BMS due to space limitations at BHS. These mirrors would allow the entire show choir to see their movements at the same time, and can be used by BMS, as well. Additional funding for this project will be provided by the Batesville Music Boosters.

“Beginning this year, our spring grants will be dedicated to funding the new Bulldog Ready guaranteed experiences that will take our students out into the community to learn how what they are learning applies in real life,” Wilson said. “We’re excited to be a part of the Bulldog Ready convening council that helps connect the community to the classroom and are grateful to our sponsors who help provide funding for our programs.”