Teachers from 10 different schools across Beaufort County were awarded by Board members, donors and volunteers from The Foundation for Educational Excellence with 14 Innovative Teacher and School Resource Grants for Spring 2019.

“These 14 grants totaling more than $18,000 will provide 4,600 innovative learning opportunities for students throughout the district at early childhood centers, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools,” described Foundation Chair, Deborah Colella.

One of the projects funded this year is Seeds to Shoreline for AMES at Beaufort Elementary School. They will have a small greenhouse to grow marsh grasses and learn how to replant the marsh. A Kiln for Kids project at Port Royal Elementary will be used for pottery projects. Birding with Binoculars at Hilton Head IB Elementary School will be an on campus study of birds. Starting the Shark Network is the beginning of a May River High School daily news program. Sew It Yourself will help special needs students at Battery Creek High School learn life skills. Our Island’s History will be the artistic efforts of Hilton Head Island Middle Schoolers for a permanent mural. More grants are going to a pollinator garden, a cultural percussion music program, a tiny microscope science program and many more.

This grant cycle was partially funded by generous contributions by Mrs. William Kale through the generous contributions of family and friends to the Foundation in memory of William "Bill" Cale of Hilton Head Island and the Foundation’s major fundraiser, “Jewels and Jeans.”

“The Foundation is so excited to be able to fund these innovative projects across the district,” says Susan Hughson, Foundation Board Member and Grant Chair. “We love the creativity and passion of these teachers that inspire a love of learning in their students.”