It was a pep rally atmosphere as MPISD celebrated “Grant Day” on November 4 with a great deal of excitement and fanfare provided by members of the MPHS Goin’ Gold Band, Tiger Dolls, and Varsity Cheer squad. The MPISD Education Foundation proudly awarded $34,995.32 to 42 individual staff members on seven different campuses.

Fall 2022 grant recipients and their funded projects are:

Annie Sims Elementary School ($1,144.11): Linda Traughber for gardening supplies, and Maria Cates for Osmo for iPad, Osmo numbers, starter kit and games.

Frances Corprew Elementary School ($11,952.08): Jessica Williams for math games and manipulatives, Amanda Phillips for sight word sets and games, Esmeralda Martinez for puzzles and science materials, Flor Acuña for mouse and keyboard sets, Jamie King for VEX IQ System Robot sets, Mariana Barboza for science materials and centers, Tameca Martin for Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and storage sets, Bianca Contreras for Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and storage sets, Fredi Rivera for microscope and science supplies, Andrea Lindley for easels and writing resources, Whitley Hamilton for puzzles, games and hands-on activities, Liliana Ybarbo for keyboard, mouse and cases, and Cassie George for supplies for the National Elementary Honor Society community garden.

E.C. Brice Elementary School ($6,021.68): Natzyelly Gonzalez for Spanish books for the classroom, Jamie Carr for interactive activities, Christine Hostermann for wireless keyboard and covers, Candy Taylor for Mimio projector, learning cards and flexible seating, Carmen Fernandez for science kits and learning centers, Kendel Thompson for wobble chairs and bean bag chairs, Marcie Chamness for keyboard and mouse sets, and Lorena Alvarado for Mimio teach wireless interactive system and stylus.

Vivian Fowler Elementary School ($7,149.33): Tasey Cates for flexible seating, books and mats, Alexi Smith & Patsie DeSantiago for smart TV’s and wall mount, Kerrie Holt for VEX robotics kits and items, Margaret Rowland for a book vending machine, and Kristi Berry for flexible seating.

P.E. Wallace Middle School ($5,715.81): LaSonya McDaniel for floor mats and emotional support items, Penny McKenzie for puzzles, games, tactile numbers and letters for life-skills classroom, Ernestina Amador for laptop cases, Dee Anne Kirkland for flexible seating, Sonia Ibañez for science manipulatives and flexible seating, Estibaliz Moreno for agility ladder, hurdles, and coaching sticks, Kate Miles Babcock for a terrarium, mealworm kit and science supplies, Jason Barfield for books and games for the classroom, and Jared Elliott for weighted workout bars.

Mount Pleasant Junior High School ($2,224.17): Christi Lowry for two cameras, battery chargers and SD cards, and Allison Caddel for escape kits.

Mount Pleasant High School ($454.35): Doug Little for document cameras and color graphing calculators.

Titus County Shared Services ($333.79): Angel Little for a trampoline to be used for OT at Annie Sims and puzzles for all elementary campuses.

“We are so thankful to the MPISD Foundation for again presenting grants to our staff members,” said MPISD Superintendent of Schools, Judd Marshall. “These funds will allow our teachers to do things that will benefit our students that would not be possible without Foundation assistance as they fall outside the budgets for our campuses. These supplemental funds will help us enrich the learning experiences of our students. I am also very thankful to all our employees and community members who have donated to the Foundation. Without them, these grants would not be possible.”

“The Foundation Grant Patrol toured different MPISD campuses on November 4 to surprise the grant recipients with the news that their grant requests have been selected for funding,” said Mariela Crockett, MPISD Foundation Executive Director “It was an awesome time, as always! This fall the Foundation awarded $34,995.32 to 42 applicants throughout the District. The Foundation has awarded over $486,000 in grants to MPISD teachers and administrators in our seven years of operation. We could not have accomplished so much without the support from MPISD staff members and the Mount Pleasant community and we are very grateful for that support.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with the MPISD Foundation should contact Crockett at 903-575-2000.

Photos: 1: Brice teacher, Kendel Thompson (center), receives a grant from her dad and Foundation member, Dr. Kenny Thompson (left), and her sister, Kit Thompson (right)

2: Brice teacher, Lorena Alvarado, receives a grant for a Mimio teach wireless interactive system and stylus from Foundation Vice President for Finance/Governance, Brad Lowry

3: Corprew teachers Tameca Martin (left) and Liliana Ybarbo (right) receive grants for keyboards and computer accessories from MPISD Superintendent, Judd Marshall

4: Corprew teacher, Esmeralda Martinez (left), receives a grant from Foundation member, Charla Bowen (center), and MPISD Therapy Dog, Georgia (right)

5: Fowler teacher, Kristi Berry (left), receives a grant from MPISD Foundation member, Suzy Castillo (right)

6: MPHS Math teacher, Doug Little (left), receives a grant for document cameras and color graphing calculators from Foundation President, Amy Hinton (right)

7: MPJH teacher, Allison Caddel (left), receives a grant from Foundation member, Jeff Turner (right)

8: Sims teacher, Maria Cates (left), receives a grant from Foundation member, Jeremy Thomas (right)

9: Wallace teacher, Estibaliz Moreno (left), receives a grant from Foundation Vice President for Events/Marketing, Ester Smith, for P.E. equipment