September 2021 - CMC Education Foundation

Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robots

Michelle Winters, a kindergarten teacher at Carmel Elementary, received a Great Idea Grant to purchase Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robots.

“Coding is the future for today’s students,” she said. “Lighting that coding spark for some of our youngest learners can now open countless doors of opportunity for new hobbies, interests, and even potential careers.” In kindergarten, students learn how to collaborate and work together to accomplish a goal. Ms. Winters knows these robots will encourage students to work as a team to solve a problem, build determination, and enhance creativity.

Books for Behavior

Amanda Wilson, the school librarian at St. Bethlehem Elementary, received a Big Idea Grant to purchase books for “Books for Behavior” as an incentive that combines a love for literacy and encouragement to make positive choices.

Through a grant from the CMC Education Foundation, Amanda Wilson and Megan Cunningham, academic coach, purchased over 900 books to go towards the program. Students are rewarded with tokens when they display exemplary behavior and support St. B’s STRONG focus (Service, Tenacity, Responsibility, Organization, Notice, Growth). On average, 80 books are distributed each month. Studies have shown that increasing literacy rates also improve grades, attendance, and behavior.

Math-Based Escape Room

Kendra Poszywak, a math teacher at West Creek High School, received a Great Idea Grant to design original escape rooms for her students.

Although digital escape rooms are great, she wanted to allow for hands-on components so that the project reaches more students in their learning styles. Through a Great Idea Grant, she created a math-based “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego” themed escape room. Students solve complex problems to find locations on the map and finally discover where the treasure is hidden. Initiatives like this encourage students to persevere through a problem instead of just guessing or quitting. The escape room allows students to apply their understanding of a variety of math topics, including polar math, vector math, and trigonometry. The more students are engaged in the learning, the more the students will retain and be able to apply concepts to a variety of applications.

National School Nurses Day

We can’t even begin to thank our healthcare workers for all they did to keep us healthy and safe during the 2020- 2021 school year.

As the district celebrated National School Nurses Day on May 12, we wanted to make sure each of the nurses who take care of our children every day knows how much we value their commitment.

As a small token of our appreciation, the Foundation gifted each person on the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System school nursing staff and the Onsite Employee Health and Wellness nursing staff a custom tumbler and a gift card from Golly G’s Coffee, Ice Cream & Sweets. Golly G’s also donated several of those gift cards to our nurses!

Welcome Back Teachers and Staff

Because of the generous donation by our presenting sponsor, McDonald’s, the Foundation delivered over 4,700 biscuits to our Clarksville-Montgomery County School System teachers and staff during the week before school kicked off.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the annual employee Convocation was canceled. This served as an opportunity in the past for employees to come together and re-energize for the upcoming school year. The Foundation felt it was important to offer a token of appreciation to our employees to let them know how grateful we are for their commitment to our students.

13th Annual Wyatt Johnson Automotive Pass and Go Event

Each year, CMCSS sophomore, junior, and senior students who have passed their AP exams with a 3, 4, or 5 are invited to participate in Pass & Go.

Students receive numbered tickets and are eligible for prizes ranging from gas cards to a brand new car. Rowan Carey stood in stunned silence after learning he won a new car at the 13th annual Wyatt Johnson Automotive Pass and Go event. Carey, a Northeast High School junior, was speechless after his key started the Hyundai Accent on Sat., Aug. 7. “I’m just shocked. I didn’t expect anything,” he said. There were over 600 CMCSS high school students who qualified for the event, hosted by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation. Carey was randomly selected as the ultimate winner.“It is very important for this company to give back to education,” said Senator Bill Powers. Powers has been actively involved since the creation of the event 13 years ago. He has been a strong community advocate ever since. “I appreciate everybody and their hard work.” Over 25 students walked away from the day with various prizes, including gift cards to Domino’s Pizza, gas cards from Beach Oil, a Google Chromebook, an iPad, and Apple AirPods.

Month: September 2021