October 9, 2015 - Gillespie, Illinois - All 14 Gillespie Middle School (GMS) teacher-applicants received classroom mini-grants from The Partnership for Educational Excellence on Wednesday October 7, for a total gift of $6,358.81. The Partnership is an IRS-chartered 501(c)(3), not-for-profit education foundation serving Macoupin County’s Community Unit School District 7 (CUSD 7).
“The applications covered every subject matter taught in middle school and will improve the quality of instruction in every classroom,” said John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership.
Principal Jill Rosentreter said: “GMS is extremely honored and thankful that the community, along with the Partnership's support, promotes educational excellence.”
The entire GMS staff and student body assembled to witness the check presentation by Partnership representatives Fassero; founder and first president Nanci Grandone; director Don Throne; and vice president Donna Prevedell.
“The students and staff of Gillespie Middle School welcomed members of the Partnership to join their daily morning assembly ... to take part in a celebratory presentation where the teachers were each presented with a check for supplemental classroom supplies,” said Rosentreter. . (See photo)
“This fall is exceptional,” said Fassero. “The Partnership set a new one-semester record with a gift of $26,157.98 to all three CUSD 7 schools. We’re thrilled. We received an unprecedented 65 applications from all three CUSD 7 schools and were able to award all or part of 58 of them.”
By school the totals were:
Ben-Gil Elementary School – 30 teachers received $13,581.31. Almost every classroom from Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade has received up to $500 for supplemental curricular materials.
Gillespie Middle School – 14 teachers (100% of academic faculty) received $6,358.81. History, geometry, robotics, experimental science, and literature were all enhanced in this round of mini-grants.
Gillespie High School – A record 14 grants were awarded, directing extra resources to classroom units on math, history, biology, health, fitness, hockey, robotics, welding, and agricultural education. The total high school award was $6,217.86, its highest award to date.
These gifts were made possible by the generosity of alumni and local residents. In particular, the Schmidt and Barton Family Foundation has been especially generous for the entire 23-year life of The Partnership. And this semester, The Partnership welcomes its newest mini-grant supporters, Dr. D. Ross and Mrs. Rosemary Billiter of Litchfield. The Billiters initiated a scholarship last year, and returned to ask The Partnership to channel a second gift of $25,000 to its mini-grant program.
Teachers may apply each semester for awards of up to $500 for supplementary curricular materials that will enhance their students’ learning. Projects which encourage critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and life skills will receive a high priority. Projects which involve team teaching and/or interdisciplinary activities are encouraged.
All money is deposited directly with the schools and must be used only for the designated purpose within the 2015-2016 academic year. All unexpended money must be returned to The Partnership at the end of the academic year.
To maintain eligibility for future awards, teachers must submit receipts for covered materials and written evaluations. Mini-grants cannot be given for textbooks, field trips, computer hardware, equipment/furniture, supplies/consumables, or for expenses for outside speakers.
To learn more and to donate, please visit www.thepartnership7.orgYou can also contact The Partnership at P.O. Box 125, Gillespie, IL 62033.