Windmill kits, board games, and fuel-cell solar cars are among the high school projects that will be funded by Rotary “mini-grants” awarded to Temecula high school teachers.
The Rotary Club of Temecula presented a check for $3,325 to Temecula Valley Unified School District Director of Special Programs Diana Damon-White. The funds will go to eight local high school teachers who applied for Rotary mini-grants supporting the arts and sciences.
The grants are part of a first-time program offered by Temecula Rotary to support the schools during tight budget times. Damon-White said these grants, ranging from $135 for tape measures to nearly $500 for theater stage make-up kits, mean a lot to the teachers who don’t have extra funds these days for creative projects.
“This lab is so cool, but too expensive for normal use,” wrote Kristen Olko, a teacher at Chaparral High School who will receive lab materials for 260 astronomy and physics students to make T-shirts with photo-sensitive fabric. “This will be so great for (the students) to be able to do this.”
Eight proposals were chosen from a pool of applicants from the four Temecula high schools: Chaparral, Temecula Valley, Rancho Vista and Great Oak. The teachers and projects awarded funds are as follows:
Anthony Mendez, TVHS – $500
RS Carey, CHS – $463
Jerrold Burdick-Rutz, GOHS – $350
Blaine Boyer, RVHS – $484
Chris Irvin, CHS – $484
Kristen Olko, CHS – $502
Dan Ford, CHS – $398
Kristen Morales, CHS – $135
In addition to the mini-grants, Temecula Rotary will support local schools this year by giving out $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and spending more than $10,000 to send high school juniors and 7th graders to Rotary leadership camps. The club also sponsors five service-oriented “Interact” clubs in the local schools.
The Rotary Club of Temecula is a non-profit group of about 100 local business leaders and citizens who work to improve the community and world through service projects and financial support. The Club meets every Wednesday at Noon at Claim Jumper, 29560 Rancho California Rd., in Temecula. Individuals interested in opportunities for service are invited to attend one of the lunch meetings. Or visit www.temecularotary.net for more information.
