Schools in Winfield have received a $5,000 grant from Wal-Mart that is being used to fund three special projects within the district, school officials said. Wal-Mart made the contribution to mark the opening of its new store in Winfield.
The USD 465 foundation received the money and chose to make three special grants this fall. Grant recipients include:
* Anne Keller, an elementary art teacher, was awarded $500 to develop an African culture project to be used with kindergarten through fourth grade students.
With the funds, Keller will purchase African artifacts such as masks, kente cloth, a shield to allow students to experience the colors, textures, and sounds of African culture. Several of the artifacts are explored in conjunction with African folktales.
* Briant Osborn, middle school physical education teacher, received $995 to purchase a GeoFitness program.? GeoFitness is an exercise routine set to music and performed on a numbered grid mat.? As the tempo? increases, students will increase their cardiovascular workout.
Combining movement and mathematical / logical thinking along with auditory / verbal skills makes the GeoFitness an integrated exercise program meant to be fun as well as effective for students.
* Ruth McCauley and Lora Barkus at Whittier Elementary received the largest amount of money to pay for an author visit and writers’ workshop.
Rooster Morris, the author of the Axle Galench children’s book series, will come to Winfield to do student presentations that stress the importance of reading and creative expression.? He will also do writing workshops at each elementary and the intermediate school and an evening performance intended to involve parents and the general public.
