Public Education Foundation has announced two grants totaling nearly $100,000 from The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children to Lakeside Academy of Math, Science and Technology in Hamilton County and Taylor Elementary School in Bradley County. Lakeside will create STEM labs to enable students to experience hands-on learning and become creative problem solvers, as well as purchase books for the library and classrooms. Taylor Elementary will provide laptops for all fourth- and fifth-grade students, including mobile hotspots for athome use so students can conduct research and communicate with people around the globe.
This is the seventh year of a collaborative effort between PEF and The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children resulting in significant financial support to 12 area schools. PEF’s collaboration with Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation has enabled the two organizations to multiply the impact of regional educational initiatives for the benefit of students in Southeast Tennessee.
Gail Levin, Ph.D., director of The Leonore Annenberg Scholarship, Fellowship, and School Funds, said, “Since 2010, the Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children has partnered with PEF to provide underserved schools with essential resources. While the term ‘value added’ is too often used in the absence of both context and definition, Leonore Annenberg’s grants to public elementary schools are sure to make a clear case for improved teaching and learning.”
“Leonore Annenberg was committed to improving the lives of children, particularly those who, with support, will become leaders of the next generation,” said PEF President Dan Challener. “These grants certainly underscore the heart of her mission to provide students resources to help them shine brightly. We are so pleased to announce this year’s awards to Lakeside Academy and Taylor Elementary. The public will be invited to celebrations at each school in the fall to experience how these grants are making a difference for students.”
In 1997, the late philanthropist Walter Annenberg made a special opportunity grant to Chattanooga as part of his national call to arms in support of American public education. That support, which recognized the merger of city schools with the surrounding Hamilton County system, helped to create PEF’s Leadership Initiative. Several years later, additional support was designated for a strategic communications plan and mission-focused public relations work. The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children grants build upon this legacy of partnership.
In total, The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children has given $950,000 to schools in southeast Tennessee as part of their $6.4 million in grants nationally to public elementary schools that serve a high concentration of children from families living in poverty. Previous local grants have funded diverse projects including a reading lab, multi-media facility, art studio, media center, classroom technology, playground improvements, science lab, classroom book nooks, Chromebooks, and a student leadership program.