Information courtesy of Aarika Sandlin, VCS Director of Communication & Marketing
The Vance County Public School Foundation (VCPSF) awarded eleven Vance County School teachers with Learning that Extends Actual Performance (LEAP) mini-grants at the 2022-23 convocation on Aug. 23 at McGregor Hall. A total of $20,000 was awarded, made possible through the VCPSF and a $10,000 donation from MAKO Medical.
The LEAP mini-grants provide financial resources and support to teachers so they can enrich classroom learning experiences. The funded projects reflect the pillars of the Vance County Schools’ strategic plan – equity & inclusion, high performance culture, innovation and experiential learning.
Following is a list of this year’s LEAP grant recipients, their schools and the winning projects;
- Frank Brown, Vance County High School – Communicator Headsets for Public Safety Course: Communicator headsets will expand the 9-1-1 telecommunicator program to help train students for the workforce
- Lillian King, Carver Elementary – Amplifying Student Voices: A school-wide project that is intended to promote student participation in classrooms with tossable, ball-shaped microphones called Q-balls.
- Milton Lima, STEM Early High – Cymatics in Action: Students will build and engage with cymatic experiences using Tesla coils, oscilloscopes, speakers, wiring and cymatic plates, that will encourage class discussion and enhance hands-on classroom experiences.
- Claudel Richards, Dabney Elementary – Math Reads with Flexibility: Standing desks and flexible seating will be provided to make reading more accessible for all students. Math storybooks and resource books will assist teachers with implementing strategies that cater to the needs of all learners.
- Debbie McCune, Carver Elementary – Science Fun for Everyone: Second grade students will participate in In-School Science Field Trips with interactive, educational and fun science activities.
- Loricia Martin, E.O. Young Elementary – Learning at All Levels: Sensory rugs, ottomans, and counter-height stools will be used to foster comfortable learning at all levels during instructional blocks.
- Ginger Glover, Vance Virtual Village Academy – Dream Believers: Dream Believers are a group of elementary students who create projects that will inspire creativity and imagination. These projects will be donated to various organizations within the Henderson/Vance community.
- Cynthia Nnameka, Vance Virtual Village Academy – Lab Days with Lab Kits: Sixth to eighth grade students will participate in critical thinking and hands-on experiences that correspond with NC Essential Standards.
- Amber Baker, Ebony Watkins and Alexandra White, E.M. Rollins STEAM Elementary – LaserSTEAM: LaserSTEAM encourages hands-on experience for students that will engage students in reading, learning and writing.
Following its initial $10,000 donation in April 202w to fund the LEAP grants, MAKO Medical issued a challenge to the community to double the difference, making a commitment to match every donation, totaling up to $10,000. VCPSF reached the milestone in July, receiving over $10,000 in community donations since May. MAKO presented the additional $10,000 from the MAKO match at the VCS Convocation, which was attended by all Vance County Schools staff, members of the Vance County School Board of Education, the Vance County Public School Foundation, MAKO representatives Clever Prince and Mikey the Shark, as well as representatives from area businesses.
Learn more about the VCPSF at vcs.k12.nc.us and follow them on Facebook @The Vance County Public School Foundation.