Plus

Lora McCampbell 6th grade Social Studies Lakewood
I used my Plus Grant to purchase Air dry Clay for students to write their names in cuneiform. This activity teaches the importance of cuneiform, which was the first written language created in Mesopotamia.

Title of Grant: Career Exploration
School: 8th grade (Henry, Harrelson, Lakewood)
Names: Jessica Lemons & Mary Ashlock

8th graders had a wonderful time exploring Austin Peay State University! Students learned about the different majors offered and life on campus. We ended our tour at the dining hall where students enjoyed the buffet-style dining option. The highlight was the all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream machine! Thank you PLUS for providing our students with this enlightening (and delicious) experience!

Lakewood’s Stem Lab was blessed by Plus with 3 Chompsaws. These amazing power tools have taken our makerspace to the next level. Chompshop is a specialized, kid-safe power tool designed to cut, score, and punch through cardboard for arts, crafts, and STEM projects. It uses an oscillating, punch-like mechanism rather than spinning blades, making it safe for little fingers. It is designed for children to create 3D cardboard structures without the risks of traditional box cutters.-
LeighAnne Durham
Cut Safely, Create Boldly

Preschool Communication Station
Emily Lee
Rhea School

I cannot express my gratitude enough to have been awarded the PLUS Endowment Grant, which allowed us to purchase the “Preschool Communication Station” (PECS Board) for our W. G. Rhea Elementary preschool playground. This resource provided a visual communication system that helps young children express their needs, make choices, and interact with teachers and peers by using picture symbols. For students who are nonverbal, limited verbal, and emerging language skills, the PECS board supports functional communication, reduces frustration, and encourages participation during playground time and outdoor activities. We are thankful to have this resource to provide this meaningful tool that helps our students build essential communication skills! This is a tool that will be used for years to come! Pictured is one of the many preschool students utilizing the board to communicate with a classmate.

Being VersaTile!
Susanne Collins
Paris Elementary School

Paris Elementary reading RTI students in Mrs. Collins class are making reading fun with versatile manipulatives thanks to Plus Endowment. Versatiles are a hands-on way to reinforce taught concepts. They offer an opportunity to learn in small groups or whole group, yet they give each child an opportunity to participate. My students are always so excited to work with them. We are being versatile and making reading fun at the same time.

Games for Gains
6th Grade Inman Middle School
Melanie White & Kaylin Belisle

Inman Middle School 6th graders have been using card games to deepen their understanding of ecosystems and how they are connected. These card games, which were purchased with funds from Plus, enable students to dive deeper into a multitude of biomes and connect what we have been learning in class to real life scenarios. Students are engaged in hands-on learning while working with peers to explore a multitude of biomes and how different organisms depend upon each other to survive as well as compete for resources. They are also learning about the importance of using more renewable energy sources and the effects of using non-renewable energy on our environment.

On November 4th, Henry Theater Club (5th-8th grades) took a field trip to The Dixie Carter Performing Arts & Academic Enrichment Center in Huntingdon, TN to watch Bethel University’s performance of Newsies: The Musical. Students were so captivated by the exceptional performance and enjoyed learning about the 1899 newsboys’ strike in NYC. They learned about unions, strikes, and the unfair treatment of child laborers. After the performance, students enjoyed a delicious lunch at Mallard’s Restaurant. We are so thankful to have been able to take this trip which was made possible by our PLUS Grant, “Setting the Stage for the Future”!
-Samantha Lindley-Murphy
Henry Elementary School

Congratulations to Breanna Hill of Harrelson for being awarded the Roddy Adkisson Grant. Her grant is titled "Community Connections".

Congratulations to Dustin Smith for being awarded the Dr. Patricia Smith Award! His grant, Cultivating Curiosity, scored in the top three!

Congratulations to Holly Porter and Amy Whitaker at Inman Middle School for being award the William Atchison grant for being the highest scoring grant with a perfect score of 100! Their grant is titled "Phenotype Face Off".

We are so grateful to the Kim McDaniel Shining Bright Foundation for their continued support of PLUS endowment. This grant was awarded to Erin Sinclair for "Here We Grow Again". Due to their generosity, we are able to give a grant to the highest scoring pre-K through second grade Grant.