By The News & Reporter

https://www.onlinechester.com/content/great-falls-educators-among-those-receiving-arras-foundation-horizon-education-grants

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 1:46 pm (Updated: November 4, 1:55 pm)

Eleven teachers, including Josh Heffner and Garrett Knight of Great Falls High School were awarded Horizon Education Grants by the Arras Foundation this month. Horizon awards are designed to help foster innovative teaching and learning in Lancaster County, Great Falls, Lewisville public schools and at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster.

“Our teachers inspire us at all times,” said Lisa Bridges, Arras Trustee and Horizon Committee advisor. “During the global pandemic, our educators are going to extraordinary lengths to connect and engage with students and families in new and creative ways. We are so pleased to recognize these 11 recipients this month.”

Established in 2017 as a cornerstone of Arras Foundation grantmaking to promote a healthy community, Horizon Education grants support innovative teaching and learning projects which build the skills and characteristics found in the “Profile of a SC Graduate.” In addition, grant awards are designed to promote collaboration between educators, and to support meaningful connections between teachers, students, families, and the community.

Teachers can apply for two Horizon Education grants each year, one classroom grant of up to $500 and one multi-educator grant of up to $2,000. Awards are made by youth philanthropy volunteers.

The October 2020 Horizon Education Grant recipients include:

  • Josh Heffner, Garrett Knight / Great Falls High School, Chester County School District / Health & Physical Education, Grades 6-12 / Project Title: “All Kids Active (Project AKA)”
  • Danelle Faulkenberry, Brandon Newton, Ryleigh Waiters, Steven Campbell / USC Lancaster / Higher Ed / Project Title: “CLEVER – Campaign Literacy Educates Voters to Encourage Responsibility”
  • Samantha Rigby / Van Wyck Elementary, Lancaster County School District / Grades K-5 / Project Title: “Growing Our Leveled Library: Expansion and Home Connection”
  • Ingrid Corpuz, Deborah Cole, Rebecca Hammond, Bailey Threatt / North Elementary, Lancaster County School District / Grades 2-4, ESOL /Project Title: “Powerful Connections”

Heffner and Knight’s grant application for “All Kids Active (Project AKA)”, stated, ‘Through this grant initiative, our goal at Great Falls High School is to support physical education that will positively impact the lives of children through physical activity. As a PE staff, we feel that students need to be exposed to a variety of activities that supports health, physical fitness, competition, collaboration, and lifelong possibilities.

‘Creating opportunities for students to learn an array of sports and activities that required physical activity and energy consumption is something that Great Falls can definitely utilize through this grant opportunity. If this grant is obtained by Great Falls High School, it will provide an opportunity to modify the current Health and PE curriculum and provide more opportunities to students to be physically active and educated.’

“Teachers have had to pivot to meet the needs of their students during the health crisis,” said Scottie Gibson, senior at Lewisville High School & returning member of the Youth Review Committee. “As a student and Youth Review Committee member, I believe that lifting up students and educators is critical to building a healthy community, particularly as we continue the fight against COVID-19. We are thrilled to honor these 11 educators and to share the four projects they’ve proposed.”

All Horizon Education Grant applications are reviewed and approved by the Youth Review Committee. The Youth Review Committee gives students an opportunity to get involved in community activities, explore the world of philanthropy, and support leadership and innovation in education. Students from USC-Lancaster, Lancaster County, Great Falls, and Lewisville High Schools comprise the Horizon Education Grant Youth Review Committee.

The Arras Foundation will open the Spring Application Cycle of Horizon Education Grants in December. The application deadline for the Spring Cycle is February 1, 2021. For more information about the Horizon Education Grant, please visit: www.arrasfoundation.org/horizon-education-grant or contact Arras Foundation Youth Development Coordinator, Elizabeth Howe.