Like manna from the heavens, the Turlock Education Foundation will be awarding $10,000 to a dozen Turlock Unified School District teachers for special curriculum- related projects to improve student learning experiences.
The 2013-14 grant program is in memory of Richard W. Lopes, the beloved husband of Julien Elementary School Principal and TEF Board Member Linda Murphy-Lopes. The grants are intended to enhance and enrich the educational experience of TUSD students.
This year’s recipients are listed below:
• Angela DeTomasi (Dutcher Middle School) – $1000 for a school garden project.
• Mary Duffy (Dutcher Middle School) – $1000 for a district choral music library.
• Sarah Carpenter (Dennis Earl Elementary) – $1000 for band instruments.
• Christine Rowell (Medeiros Elementary) – $685.37 for digital audio listening centers and iPods.
• Marlene Bergstrom (Medeiros Elementary) – $675.75 for three trail mountain tents.
• Samantha Cardoza (Medeiros Elementary) – $1000 for an overnight trip to Sutter’s Fort.
• Heather Nolan (Turlock High School) – $1000 for the installation of a mother stock propagation and growing area.
• Nick Traini (Turlock High School) – $1000 for water and irrigation system equipment and garden tools.
• Donna Creighton (Turlock Junior High) – $1000 toward the purchase of a 3D printer for STEM.
• Sandra Ortega-Ramos (Turlock Junior High) – $500 for TJHS student court.
• Angelica Jaurequi (Wakefield Elementary) – $1000 for an indoor therapeutic swing for special needs students.
• Dave Sutton (Walnut Elementary) – $1000 for a wireless student response system “clicker” system.
These grants represent the first real-world application of TEF fundraising since the non-profit organization was established in 2011 to supporting TUSD students. The TEF aims to enhance and enrich the educational experience by establishing and maintaining a pathway to secure vital resources and partnerships with individuals, families, organizations, and businesses.
“We hope to make it an annual grant. When TEF started we sort of came in at the tail-end of the economic hardship so we are excited to get this started and the ball rolling,” TEF President Barney Gordon said.
This year’s generous donors include Blue Diamond Almonds, Emanuel Medical Center and Turlock Firefighters Local 2434
For more information on how to support public education through TEF, visit www.turlockedfoundation.org/donate.
