By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – A local foundation is looking to plant the seeds of inspiration.
Beyond the Books which provides grants to teachers in District 87 and Unit 5 wants to showcase how its money can be put to good use in the classroom. It will inviting the public to a breakfast on April 19 at 7 a.m. at Bloomington High School.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Robertson on WJBC.
Beyond the Books publicity chairwoman Vickie Robertson said the program will involve a presentation involving grant winners from BHS Tracy and Brian Hitchins worked with teachers at Sugar Creek Elementary.
“It was a very fun grant,” Robertson said.
The foundation issued $45,000 in grants to innovative teachers for various projects last year and plans this year to hand out one $10,000 ‘Beyond the Box’ grant, plus smaller grants of $5,000 and $400. It received$125,000 in requests last year.
Beyond the Books has issued nearly $600,000 since 1992. Robertson said the foundation money is more critical now than every before.
“We started it with the hope some of these things can be done in the classroom, but can’t be done with the funds that are allowed,” Robertson said.
The next round of grants will be announced in the spring.
The breakfast is free but it’s limited to 100 guests. RSVP to [email protected].
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
