Sullivan schools receive almost $40,000 in Utrust grants

BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County Schools has received $31,300 in Teaching and Learning Mini Grants from Utrust, among Utrust grants totaling $39,800 for the public school system of Northeast Tennessee's most populous county. The mini grants support innovative classroom projects across the district. The grants were awarded on a competitive basis to fund initiatives that increase student engagement, expand access to technology and provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences, according to a news release form Utrust via Sullivan County Schools. Of Sullivan Schools receiving Utrust grants, Ketron Elementary School got the largest single grant at $3,290, closely followed by Rock Springs Elementary at $3,211 and West Ridge High with $3,190. Bluff City Elementary and Ketron Elementary both received $3,130 each, followed by Holston Elementary at $3,101 and Sullivan East High with a $3,100 grant. Also, Ketron Elementary got four grants, the largest number among all county schools. Thirty-six applications were submitted, with projects selected through a competitive review process based on impact innovation and student reach, according to the release. The funded projects span elementary through high school campuses and will benefit students across the district. The release also said this year's funded projects reflect a strong emphasis on STEM or science, technology, engineering and math, digital media, literacy and social-emotional learning. Teachers submitted proposals demonstrating how their projects would directly impact student achievement and create lasting benefits within their schools. Sullivan County is one of 51 school systems in Tennessee receiving Utrust grants this month, totaling more than $1 million across the Volunteer State. TEACHING AND LEARNING MINI GRANTS The news release stated the following projects were selected for mini grant funding: • West Ridge High, $3,190 for Ag Innovation Lab: Expanding Digital Fabrication in the Agriculture Classroom with Project Director Sarah Knight; • Sullivan Central Middle, $595 for Vertical Thinking in ELA (English Language arts) Through Collaborative Whiteboard Instruction with Autumn Davidson; • Rock Springs Elementary, $960 for "Small Wonders" Pre-K Science Investigation Tools with Julie Millard; • Rock Springs Elementary, $3,211 for Coding Robots for STEM and Cross-Curricular Integration with Courtney Lawson;• Mary Hughes Elementary, $2,179 for Video Production Equipment to Enhance School Communication with Lindsay Henry; • Holston Elementary, $2,866 for Augmented Reality Tools for Interactive Math and Science Learning with Rebecca Edwards; • Holston Elementary, $3,101 for Literacy and Sensory Tools for Pre-K and Special Education with Ashley Britt; • Emmett Elementary, $2,167 for Student-Led Broadcast and Morning Announcement Program with Gloria Watson; • Bluff City Elementary, $2,451 for Sensory Space to Support Student Regulation and Behavior with Tiffany Evans; • Bluff City Elementary, $3,130 for Student Podcast and Digital Storytelling Studio with Kristen Dempsey; • Ketron Elementary, $3,290 for K–5 Robotics and Computer Science Pathway with Phelan Bradley; • Ketron Elementary, $3,130 for Digital Art Technology Integration with Leslie Lockhart; • Ketron Elementary, $730 for Multisensory Literacy and Math Learning Station with Rebecca McCracken; and • Ketron Elementary, $300 for Pre-K Student Photography and Project Documentation with Shelley Pirrong. APPRECIATION GRANTS In addition, Utrust also awarded $8,500 to four Sullivan County schools that participate in the Utrust Appreciation Program, three of which also participate in the Utrust Culture Initiative. The appreciation program encourages students to recognize and express appreciation for school employees and to celebrate employee groups on eight special days throughout the school year. The Culture Initiative aims to involve staff, parents and the broader school community in fostering a culture where everyone appreciates others and feels appreciated. The four are: ● East High, $3,100; ● Holston Elementary, $500; ● Sullivan East Middle, $2,400; and ● Sullivan Heights Middle, $2,500. "These grants allow our teachers to bring innovative ideas to life in their classrooms," Director of Schools Chuck Carter said in the release. "We are grateful to our educators who took the initiative to design projects and apply for funding to enhance student engagement, achievement, and the overall educational experience. We appreciate Utrust's investment in making our schools even better places to work and learn." Utrust Administrator Dr. Dan Tollett said in the release: "Each of the projects submitted represents a meaningful investment in student learning. Teachers across Sullivan County continue to demonstrate creativity and dedication in identifying ways to better engage students and prepare them for future success. Every proposal reflected a strong commitment to improving teaching and learning opportunities. Hopefully, other organizations will step up and fund one or more of these proposals. "We're pleased that four Sullivan County Schools are participating in the Utrust Appreciation Program. We welcome the opportunity to partner with them in fostering a culture of appreciation where every student and staff member feels appreciated and, in turn, expresses appreciation to others." Utrust is an organization that supports school systems across Tennessee by providing unemployment services while also recognizing and investing in educators, the release said. Through programs such as the Utrust Appreciation Program and Teaching and Learning Mini Grants, Utrust works to strengthen school communities and improve student outcomes, according to the release.