HSPSEF awards 1st grants
The Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation made its inaugural presentation of $4,950 in grants Tuesday to 12 Hot Springs School District groups and clubs.
“Through our first-ever Hot Springs School District Enrichment Grants, the foundation is directly supporting the initiatives of Hot Springs educators and helping to enhance the programs that students care about,” Q. Byrum Hurst, HSPSEF board of trustees chairman and HSSD alumni, said.
“This will now give all of the various programs an opportunity to consider what they need and how they can present it to us, and we will do what we can to help them.”
The nonprofit organization has funded two other projects, a canned food donation to Project HOPE Food Bank and a student safety pilot program, since it started in October 2017. The foundation also hosted a reception for school district teachers who are also alumni on Feb. 26 of this year.
The application period for the inaugural Hot Springs School District Enrichment
Grants was open from May through August and will reopen from May through August 2020. Hurst said 19 grant applications were considered by the board of trustees.
“They’re all very good programs and objectives, and we wish that we could have done every one,” Hurst said.
This year’s grants were awarded prior to Tuesday’s Hot Springs School Board meeting in the Jones Administration Building at 400 Linwood Ave.
“With great partnership from the district and generous support from alumni across the central Arkansas area, we have made wonderful progress in identifying specific ways to help enhance district initiatives,” Hurst said.
Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School’s strings program received $1,000 in grant funds to repair six cellos, which was the highest amount awarded.
HSSD’s Dance Studio received $800 for new ballet barres; the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program received $600 for general facilities and equipment upgrades; and $500 was awarded each to Hot Springs Junior Academy Jobs for America’s Graduates Program and Park Magnet IB World School for new technology equipment and a first-grade book program startup, respectively.
The high school’s ninth-grade science classrooms and the district’s K-6 gifted and talented program each received $300 for additional supplies and curriculum enrichment. The district’s Thespian Troupe and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America each received $250 for travel to meetings and competitions.
The high school’s special education program was awarded $200 to fund a zoo field trip. The Trojan Art Club received $150 to support the hosting of the annual Spring Art Show and Showcase, while the high school’s Healthy Student Campaign received $100 in funds to be used toward the improvement of health and wellness offerings and the school.
“We are grateful to the Hot Springs Public Schools Education Foundation Board and the many HSSD alumni and supporters who have made these generous grants possible. Funds like these allow our educators and program sponsors to offer memorable enrichment and experiences to our students that allow for special curriculum, resources, travel, equipment and community service opportunities,” Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus said.
“Each grant recipient group and program selected challenges our students to learn and serve above and beyond the day-to-day requirements of classroom work.”
Following the presentation of grants, the foundation’s board of trustees held a meeting of their own during the school board meeting. The foundation plans to launch a “direct mail campaign” in several weeks, Hurst said.
The foundation has one particular long-term goal it is working toward: a “Trojan Promise” scholarship, he said.
“That would be that students that graduate from the Hot Springs School District would be guaranteed a scholarship through our foundation to an in-state college of their choice. That is an ultimate goal that we’re working on,” Hurst said.
He said the goal is at least five and up to 10 years into the future, though. As for 2020, the foundation is optimistic that it will be able to raise even more grant funds.
“We will begin immediately raising funds to support more Enrichment Grants for the future, and working to support the HSSD educators and students in any way possible,” Hurst said.
“We are focused on growing support for the foundation, and spreading the word to all alumni and partners about how to get active with us in supporting our alma mater.”