Griffin Spalding Partners in Education and Education Foundation merge to create more efficient organization; Offers local grants to teachers for 21st year
In an effort to create a more efficient support organization for the Griffin-Spalding County School System, Griffin-Spalding Education Foundation has merged with the Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education.
The merge, completed on December 31, 2011, was a result of the 18-month long process beginning with participation in the Spalding Collaborative Strengthening Communities federal grant project.
"We concluded we could have a single, more financially efficient organization to manage both partners in education and the fiscal resources of the Griffin-Spalding Education Foundation," said Anna Burns, Director of School and Community Services. She continued, "We believe this new organization will better serve the needs of our teachers and students."
Grants Available
This is the 21st year classroom grants will be funded through Partners in Education. Funds are raised in the community and through the Teachers Giving to Teachers campaign.
- Mini-grants up to $300 are available to Griffin-Spalding individual teachers.
- Grants up to $1,000 are available to schools or teams of teachers.
- The deadline date for applications is February 5, 2012.
- Applicants will be notified of results no later than March 2, 2012.
- Grant projects must be completed by the end of November 2012.
- Apply online at www.supportspaldingschools.org.
"Grants for teachers and students offer great opportunities for projects that could not be funded otherwise. All of the projects that will be awarded funding will enhance the curriculum already being taught in our classrooms," said Evan Stitt, a chairman of the Partners in Education Board of Directors.
In 2011, these organizations together funded $19,500 through 44 grants ranging from $85.00 to $1000.00 each. Teachers in 14 schools were able to jump start educational projects not funded through tax dollars in subjects including math, literature, and science.
Website
Applications for grants and scholarships can be found on www.supportspaldingschools.org. The newly-formed Partners in Education website built through funds from the Strengthening Communities grant will absorb the foundation's website after spring 2012 grants (January and February) and teacher scholarships (March).
Education Foundation Payroll Deduction Giving (Teachers Giving to Teachers)
All projects of both organizations will be maintained after the merger, including the Foundation's Teachers Giving to Teachers payroll deduction, which raises almost $900 per month. "All funds raised through Teachers Giving to Teachers go directly back into our school through grants and scholarships to teachers," said Jim Smith, Assistant Superintendent / CFO of the Griffin-Spalding County School System. He is also the newly elected volunteer treasurer of Partners in Education.
He continued, "Teachers participating in this worthwhile program will see a slight change on their payroll stub because of this merger. The notation for payroll deduction will change from "EdF" to "PIE". Donors will be receiving a notice about this before the end of January. All funds will continue to go to the same great causes."
Any Griffin-Spalding County School System employees interested in participating in Teachers Giving to Teachers may contact Elizabeth Benz (elizabeth.benz@gscs.org / 770-229-3700 ext. 340) or Anna Burns (anna.burns@gscs.org / 770-229-3700 ext. 341).
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