Donaldsonville Primary teachers awarded grants

Two Donaldsonville Primary School kindergarten teachers were each awarded an Ascension Fund Grant, totalling $1500 combined.

On Aug. 6, Vanessa Fennell received $500 from the Honeywell, Inc. Endowment for her “What’s that Word?” grant. The grant will provide sight word readers and interactive sight word learning games for students. Sara Ward was awarded $1000 from the CF Industries Endowment for her “Windows to World” grant. New laptops and a reading program for the students in her classroom will be provided with the use of these funds.

The grants will be used to provide support and supplies to improve student learning, directly increase student achievement and educator effectiveness, close achievement gaps, and prepare every student for success in college and careers. Through these grants, Fennell and Ward will be able to provide the students of Donaldsonville with additional educational opportunities. The grants will assist them in meeting the needs of all students and provide students with resources that facilitate a high quality education.

The Ascension Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument for private sector leaders to invest directly in the work of individual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools. Teacher Grants of $500 or $1,000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis. To date, the Ascension Fund has awarded approximately 1,100 grants representing over $1.3 million dollars in the school system.