The Surry County Schools Educational Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023 Enhanced Learning Mini-Grant Program. Click here for the application form.

2022 Enhanced Learning Mini-Grant Program

Panthers Book Bus - This project will provide children in the Cedar Ridge community with reading opportunities during the summer by providing books and snacks throughout neighborhoods that the school serves. -Victoria Calhoun, Cedar Ridge Elementary School

Banjo Education - The ultimate goal of this project is to help pass down the art of banjo to this generation of students through weekly banjo lessons. -Eric Jessup, North Surry High School

Second Chance Garden - This project is designed to enhance and beautify the commons area through monthly projects emphasizing conservation through the use of materials and supplies that are recycled, upcycled or perennially sustainable planting materials. -Celia Perry, Meadowview Magnet Middle School

Magic Book Bus Summer Literacy Project - The Magic Book Bus will ride through the Flat Rock Elementary community this summer providing books and snacks for children.  Volunteers will read to children at each stop. The project will provide continued literacy immersion for children within the community which will help reduce the impact of "summer reading regression." -Blair Lambert, Flat Rock Elementary School

STEMing into 2nd Grade - STEM bins will be integrated into 2nd grade classrooms to develop curiosity of science, math, science, and engineering. This project will help students gain a basis for problem solving, higher order thinking, and collaborative learning. -Ashley Talbott and Hannah Nixon, Cedar Ridge Elementary School

Rev Up Your Learning - Student pit crews will learn about force and motion by designing, investigating, and recording data from their own pinewood derby cars.  Students will work with Boy Scouts, local race car drivers, and community businesses in preparation for the culminating event, a pinewood derby race. -Jamie Mosley, Gentry Middle School

STEM Bins - STEM Bins are hands-on activities that encourage students to creatively solve problems and are a unique way to build students' real-world application of STEM, writing, and art. -Emily Dollyhite, Mountain Park Elementary School

Principal's Book of the Month Club - A book based on leadership characteristics will be given to all students every month.  Classes will study these themes through extension activities and discussion questions which will jumpstart instruction of the leadership attributes and provide a common starting place for everyone, bringing consistency for all students and staff. -Sharia Templeton, Dobson Elementary School

Making History: The 8th Grade Wax Museum - Students will benefit from the expansion of the biography and autobiography section in the media center to prepare for the yearly research project of important people in history. -Stephanie Bode and Christie Robertson

Leader of the Month Book Club - This program will reward students who demonstrate leadership attributes. Each month, a student is chosen based on the monthly attribute and is recognized as a leader in the school. -Laura Whitaker, Westfield Elementary School

Dirt Less Growth - Hydroponics is a fast growing sector of agriculture and will be used by students to grow plants. Students who have never planted a garden or taken care of plants will learn where our food comes from and how anyone can produce his/her own food. -Susan Cromer, North Surry High School

Emerging Technology in Visual and Applied Arts - Students will use oculus Quest headsets and controllers to participate in immersive virtual tours of locations throughout the world.The project will include both structured lessons and independent exploration. -Stephanie Miller, Surry Central High School

Making Music Together Again - New instruments for music classes will help students study sound waves and acoustics of each instrument. With this project, every student will have an instrument to enjoy! -DeAnna Walker, Copeland Elementary School

Show Me the Money! - This project will help students sharpen personal financial skills through board games.  Student collaboration while using math functions will prepare students for real-life financial literacy and the newly-required finance classes in high school. -Korey Buelin, Meadowview Magnet Middle School

STEM Bins for Student Success! - Fourth grade classes will have STEM kits that are aligned to the NC Essential Standards to faciliate a love of learning for in-person and remote students. -Shaunda York, Franklin Elementary

Kicking to the Top to be a Better ME! - This project seeks to empower students by promoting a growth mindset, problem-solving skills, building self-confidence, helping with difficult feelings and emotions, and preparing students for life's changes, by using the Ninja Life Hacks series of books and The Color Monster books. -April Payne, Westfield Elementary