Prize Patrol hits the streets

Libby Sibert has advice for teachers who strike out in searching for grants from the ECISD’s Education Foundation.

First, do your research. Second, write clearly. And, perhaps most importantly, follow the rules.

“A lot of people don’t follow the format, and they get tossed (right away),” she said.

Sibert, a second-grade teacher at Barbara Jordan Elementary, used her technique to perfection. Along with the school’s other second-grade teachers, she went four-for-four in grant proposals for a total of $34,502.69.

In all, Barbara Jordan took in six of the 18 grants handed out Wednesday by the foundation’s Prize Patrol. The other 16 grants are expected to be awarded today.

The yells of second-grade students reverberated through the halls of the school upon getting the news of some of the activities they’ll take part in because of the grants.

They include a combination science fair and art show.

“You don’t get to do art anymore,” Sibert said. “This combines both. This is so cool!”

Another project, which the school has done in the past, involves bringing out-of-the-ordinary vehicles to the school. Sibert said students could expect everything from racecars to Army tanks.

While that event may be fun, the teacher has other reasons for wanting to do it. Cars are likely to bring out fathers, and when the dads are involved, she said students perform better on tests.

Sibert is also planning on getting a visit from a penguin from the Fort Worth Zoo and having the kids simulate a polar bear habitat while ice-skating.

All the activities are geared toward helping kids pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test and meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guidelines.

“You can take any TAKS objective and turn it into something interesting,” she said. “It takes work, but every single objective will be covered.”

Sandra Stanley, an assistant principal at Jordan, said it was overwhelming for the school to get the six grants, totaling $43,782.40.

“We’ve got a great group of teachers,” she said. “They work really hard and make learning fun for the children.”

Since the Prize Patrol started in 2000, it has awarded $764,000. This years grants will total $150,284.78.

But if teachers are hoping to get a piece of the pie in 2008, they’d best get started. Sibert said she’s already nearly finished with her grant requests for next year.

Grants awarded by the Education Foundation’s Prize Patrol Wednesday. The remaining 16 grants will be handed out today:

LAMAR EARLY EDUCATION CENTER

>> Teachers: MaryJane Hutchins, Amber Lambert, Brittany Snyder.

>> Project: What’s BUGGING You?

>> Amount: $588.69.

>> Presented: In memory of Jerry D. Graves.

HAYS ELEMENTARY

>> Teachers: Martha Overby, John Stewart.

>> Project: Commemorative Air Force Boot Camp Leadership Training.

>> Amount: $2,037.54.

>> Presented: In honor of trustee Ray Beaty DC.

MILAM ELEMENTARY

>> Teachers: Natalie Fitzgerald, Lalonnie King, Pam Tankersley.

>> Project: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

>> Amount: $2,421.49.

>> Presented: In honor of Craig Van Amburgh.

>> Teachers: Jennifer Bizzell, Amy Costilla, Natalie Fitzgerald, Jose Leyva, Martha Mancha, Mary Pfeffer, Amy Wilson.

>> Project: To Infinity and Beyond!

>> Amount: $4,950.83.

>> Presented: Jan and Ted Roden.

ECTOR JUNIOR HIGH

>> Teacher: Linda DeWitt.

>> Project: A Yukon Quest.

>> Amount: $3,000.00.

>> Presented: Holly and Clint Fletcher.

>> Teachers: Linda DeWitt, Abigail Regalado, Nora Triepke, Amanda Fagan, Lori Schuize, Cheryl Sellars, David Thomas.

>> Project: Bill’s Birthday Bash Odessa Style.

>> Amount: $6,300.00.

>> Presented: In memory of Dr. Joe Buice.

>> Teachers: Linda DeWitt, Amanda Pagan, Melissa Neff, Abigail Regalado, Cheryl Sellers.

>> Project: The Breakfast Club.

>> Amount: $4,400.00.

>> Presented: Ray’s Equipment LLC.

>> Teachers: Lori Low, Rosalinda Acosta.

>> Project: Witness the Truth.

>> Amount: $1,795.85.

>> Presented: Debra and Ken Black.

>> Teachers: Kathryn Suzzan Nutting, Delilia Diggs.

>> Project: Hey!!! What Can I Do?

>> Amount: $4,658.50.

>> Presented: Wagner Supply Company Inc.

BARBARA JORDAN ELEMENTARY

>> Teachers: Michelle Lewallen, Shelley Barker, Angelique Franklin, Troy Meinkowsky.

>> Project: A Fair to Remember - World’s Fair 2008.

>> Amount: $7,564.71.

>> Presented: In honor of trustee Randy Rives.

>> Teachers: Libby Sibert, Cheri Carter. Christy Ordener, Cristi Simmons, Tammy Joy, Hilda Magallanez.

>> Project: Claymation Creations at Information Stations.

>> Amount: $9,920.90.

>> Presented: American State Bank.

>> Teachers: Libby Sibert, Cheri Carter, Christy Ordener, Cristi Simmons, Tammy Joy, Hilda Magallanez.

>> Project: Fins, Scales and Fluffy Tails...Animals, Habitats and Biomes.

>> Amount: $8,907.00.

>> Presented: ConocoPhillips.

>> Teacher: Shelley Barker.

>> Project: LIGHTS! ACTION! READ!

>> Amount: $1,715.00.

>> Presented: S.I.W. Pipe & Supply Inc.

>> Teachers: Libby Sibert, Cheri Carter, Christy Ordener, Cristi Simmons, Tammy Joy, Hilda Magallanez.

>> Project: Planes, Trains and NASCAR... Racing to Success.

>> Amount: $7,049.95.

>> Presented: Southwest Bank.

>> Teachers: Libby Sibert, Cheri Carter, Christy Ordener, Cristi Simmons, Tammy Joy, Hilda Magallanez, Kary Bailey, Catherine Ross, Lynda Leslie, Lisa Lisenbe.

>> Project: The Art of Science and The Science of Art.

>> Amount: $8,624.84.

>> Presented: Western National Bank.

ROSS ELEMENTARY

>> Teacher: Beatris Mata.

>> Project: Book Buddies: Exploring the Wonders of Literature.

>> Amount: $538.32.

>> Presented: In honor of Lisa Steen.

IRELAND ELEMENTARY

>> Teachers: JoAnn Patton, Patrice Smith, Beverly Hager.

>> Project: Sing to Learn.

>> Amount: $1,121.78.

>> Presented: In honor of Trustee Fay Batch.

PERMIAN HIGH SCHOOL

>> Teachers: Sue Walker, Marta Montemayor.

>> Project: Have A Cluedo.

>> Amount: $3.198.82.

>> Presented: Diana and Buz Browning.