News from the Superintendent: November 2, 2010

November 2, 2010

Good afternoon.

The first recipients of the APS Education Foundation’s Horizon Awards have been announced. The teachers receiving the awards submitted proposals in one of four categories – fine arts, middle and high school activities, STEM and literacy – and were selected for funding by a committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The grants are significant. For individual classrooms, most proposals were funded at the $1,500 level. Team projects received as much as $5,000.

The recipients are Charles Anderson, Diane Baca, Jean Baca, Adela Candelaria, Ynette Colyer, Ronda Davis, Jan Delgado, Natalie Figueroa, Barbara Gabaldon, Donna Garcia, Reuben Gershin, Sally Giannini, Kevin Jarigese, Todd Krier, Bonnie LaCourt, Cheryl Leung, Steve McGuiness, Arlene Rickard, Dale Simpkins, Adolphus Washington and Marion Woolam.

In a district this large, it’s unlikely you know many of the names on this list. But they are your APS teaching colleagues – and you’ve helped make their classrooms a better place.

You’re probably asking what this has to do with you. Here’s the answer:  If you contributed to the Foundation through the United Way, every dollar went into the Horizon Awards. The Foundation keeps none of the money it receives through the United Way and moves it directly into this grant program.

You would be proud of your fellow teachers’ proposals. Kevin Jarigese, for example, is going to help his students learn to build telescopes – and is using his Foundation grant as a way of enticing other funders to help the project at Manzano High.

Obviously, times are tight and economic prospects are difficult these days. But the United Way campaign is something that helps everyone in our community – and in our district. You’ll see it working this year, because the Horizon Awards are having a direct impact on more than 80 teachers and 5,000 students in APS.

On behalf of the Foundation – and your teaching colleagues – thanks so much.
And while I’m at it, you might click on this link to hear what a prominent member of our community thinks about APS and the United Way.

Steve Alford Pledges His Support >>

Have a great week.

Winston Brooks
Superintendent