FOUNDATION AWARDS FIRST GRANTS

TO INNOVATIVE TEACHERS IN SAUCON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Students reap benefits beginning this summer

For immediate release

Contact: Susan Kennedy, suzntk@aol.com, 847-209-0787

              Hellertown PA (June 26, 2008) – In its initial grants offering, the Saucon Valley 

Foundation for Educational Innovation (SVFEI) has awarded $6,600 to district teachers  

for seven innovative programs to directly benefit Saucon Valley students.

              The Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation (SVFEI) was created  

to raise funds, and distribute those funds for innovative and creative programs developed  

by the district’s teachers. Earlier this spring, SVFEI initiated the Small Grant Program by  

meeting with teachers to discuss the Foundation’s mission. The teachers were encouraged  

to submit their applications for small grants up to $750 and collaborative grants up to  

$1,500.  The submitted ideas were to have corresponded to one or more of the funds set  

up by the Foundation: Technology and Learning, Arts and Education, Entrepreneurship,  

Professional Development, Scholastic Enhancement, Cultural Enrichment, and Health  

and Wellness.

              “The Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation is very proud to  

announce that we have approved  seven grants totaling more than $6,600 to the teachers 

who applied this spring.” said Joe Savage, Chairman of the Foundation.  “We are looking  

forward to watching the Foundation grow and enhance the learning experiences of the  

students of Saucon Valley.”

              The June 10th meeting of the Saucon Valley School Board included the final  

approval of the submitted grant applications. The grants included innovative and creative  

programs such as a Civil War Social, tickets to a live production of King Lear, Robot  

Kits, a World Cultures Symposium, and a mentor program.  In addition, several teachers  

will benefit from professional development in Language Arts and the purchase of an  

Elmo document camera. “We have been extremely pleased and impressed with the  

caliber of the applications and the creativity and ingenuity of the teachers.” said Leslie  

O’Connell, Chair of the Grants and Projects Committee.  “We anticipate more creativity  

for our next round of grants coming this fall.”

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2100 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown PA 18055