Bulldog Foundation awards four grants - Rossford Record
By Beth Church
The Bulldog Foundation has awarded grants to four Rossford School District teachers.
Doug Miller, president of the foundation board, presented checks totaling $1,810 at the March 19 board of education meeting.
“One of the goals of the foundation is to further academic excellence and creativity,” he explained.
“We’re happy to award these grants.”
Mr. Miller said the foundation is pleased that the awards address a number of areas and programs of learning at the schools.
Shelly Bertsch, the district’s library/media coordinator, received a $500 grant for a Marvel Mania program that will include a visit from Kirbi Fagan, world-class illustrator for Marvel comic books, movie posters and other bestselling books for teens and young adults.
“Students will hear what it takes to make it in the world of art and illustrate best-selling books,” Mr. Miller explained. “The students will also have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with the illustrator.”
About 380 students from the junior high and 20 from the high school are expected to participate.
The audio assistance program request from Martha Fellman, RJHS and RHS business teacher, received a $500 grant for purchasing earbuds to be used by about 110 students annually.
Ms. Fellman’s courses include a computer sound component throughout the semester, some requiring headphones on a daily basis.
Many students do not have earbuds or headphones to use in the lab, which place them at a disadvantage, Mr. Miller explained.
The grant allows all students to have access to the audio components, which will enhance their understanding of projects and tutorials.
Rachel Hood, RJHS science teacher, received a $460 grant of $460 to purchase a 3-D printer and replacement cartridges.
“3-D printers are becoming increasingly useful in a number of fields across science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as in art,” Mr. Miller said.
The students will gain experience preparing and creating designs that can be printed on a 3-D printer.
For a Science Day Extravaganza, RJHS science teacher Crystal Murtha received a $350 grant.
In May, eighth-grade students will host the event for fourth graders featuring topics such as the solar system, the Earth’s tilt and the seasons, food chains, force, motion, light and sound.
They will research and create hands-on activities that preview fifth grade science standards.
“This project will give the fourth-grade students an opportunity to be successful and excited about the concepts that they will see next school year, as well as, giving the eighth-graders the opportunity to become leaders by being the teachers for the day,” Mr. Miller explained.
About 250 students will be impacted by the program, he added.
The grants are made possible by donations made to the Bulldog Foundation.
Also serving on the Bulldog Foundation board are Amy Austin, Moe Minarcin, Ed Reiter, Neil MacKinnon, Rex Huffman, Joseph Schaller, Tim Yenrick, Tim Myers and school board member Kent Murphree.
For more information on the independent, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or to make a donation, visit the website: thebulldogfoundation.org.