The R2G recipients at the ceremony last month at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools recently awarded the most funds ever in the 30-plus year history of its Classroom & School Grants program.

More than $150,000 was given to 65 projects for the 2021-2022 school year at a ceremony held late last month at a ceremony at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.

Suncoast Credit Union, the foundation’s gold sponsor of the program, helps make the grants possible. Classroom & School Grants is also sponsored, in part, by a major grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation, made possible by the state.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools President and CEO Marshall T. Bower said the dollars they raise are matched by the state legislature, amounting to a record amount. He said they try to make sure the foundation’s programs do not grow old.

Back in 1988 when Bower was a board member, they were called mini grants providing up to $500 for teachers. Now the Classroom & School Grants are up to $5,000 each for groups and departments.

“It’s exciting watching a great program that offers kids unique learning experiences, and watching that grow,” Bower said.

The grants began being advertised at the beginning of the school year, as teachers have to apply for a grant in either arts, health/fitness and nutrition, literacy, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). He said the grants are used for innovative, hands-on type of learning experiences that would otherwise not happen due to the lack of funding.

“Before they apply they have to come to a workshop we put on,” Bower said

The workshop, which was again held live and virtually this year, highlights what needs to be done for the application, what measures will be taken for student success based on the implementation of the grant, as well as agreeing to provide an update on how successful it is in the classroom. Once an application is submitted it goes before a selection committee comprised of members of the foundation’s board, members of the business community and donors.

When the rankings are completed it is sent to Bower and his staff.

The grants are provided on different levels — a teacher, a group of teachers, an entire school, or an entire district department.

“We are able to give out to a lot more educators because of that,” Bower said.

Last year a grant was provided for setting up sensory rooms for students on autism spectrum, he said, which this year turned into a package deal. A $5,000 grant was awarded to those who explained why they needed a sensory room.

A number of grants also were awarded for environmental education, such as growing hydroponic gardens. Bower said students learn how to market the food they have harvested, how to sell food, as well as learning the nutrition value of what they are growing. Solar panels to fuel the hydroponic gardens was another grant, as students are learning good life skills.

Literacy programs were also in abundance, especially for elementary schools, as teachers are doing unique things in their classroom to get kids interested in books and learning.

“When we give these grants out, we do it at a live event at Broadway Palm,” he said, adding that they have some teachers get on stage and explain their projects.

Bower said to see teachers who have obviously had a rough couple of years still excited about offering unique experiences for their kids is a highlight.

He said it is great to watch teachers who are very excited about the programs to be able to implement them with the funds.

“This is a program that we grow every single year and hopefully continue to grow every single year,” Bower said. “Hopefully we will continue to excite the community and elicit more funding from the community.”

For additional information about the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, visit www.leeschoolfoundation.org.