DPSF Impacts Classrooms with $142,869 in Grants to Teachers, Staff
The Denton Public School Foundation (DPSF), in partnership with Denton ISD, local businesses and community leaders, awarded $142,869 across 139 different scholarships and classroom grants during its annual Prize Pep Rally.
The 139 scholarships and grants were awarded to 165 Denton ISD teachers and staff members across 42 campuses.
“The Prize Pep Rally is always a great day, giving donors and community members a chance to go all over the district bringing smiles and excitement to so many innovative Denton ISD teachers and staff,” said Jacqueline Jackson, Executive Director of the Denton Public School Foundation. “Seeing the surprise and delight on the winners’ faces says it all. We are incredibly fortunate to have a generous community that has continually shown its commitment to public education, and this day would not be possible without them.”
Grant winners are awarded each year following an anonymous selection process. Each year, there are always multiple submissions that are unique and catch the attention of the selection committee – and this year was no different.
At Rivera Elementary, Jennifer Barns received a $4,000 grant for her project, “¿Dónde están los libros?”
The project is to bring updated Spanish books into the Rivera library to support its dual-language classes and the 30 percent of students who are English learners. Currently, the library holds only 10 percent of books in Spanish.
At Calhoun Middle School, Noel Hill also received a $4,000 grant for her project, “Code the Future Today.”
The project is a fun and engaging way for students to learn computer science and coding skills. By using a program called Robotify, students will move blocks of code to make robots, drones and more move on the screen.
The Code the Future Today clubs will meet after school and give students a chance to learn computer programming skills that will prepare them for their possible future career – or just to be successful in life.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will open in early April 2024.