September 11, 2008 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
New teachers’ fund provides money for classroom materials State Sen. LeAnna Washington and Mt. Airy’s Ken Weinstein took a small bite out of the funding constraints for five local public schools by announcing the formation of the Mt. Airy Teachers’ Fund, a grant program that provides enrichment opportunities for teachers. At a press conference outside Henry Houston elementary school on Allens Lane, Weinstein described the newly created fund. “The idea is that teachers in Mt. Airy could use more resources for educational opportunities in school,” he said. The idea began for Weinstein two years ago as he became more and more aware of how many teachers spend money out of their own pockets on classroom enrichment materials. Weinstein decided to create the fund, putting together a committee of local residents with connections to education and an understanding of teachers’ needs. Pauline Henry is the mother of three boys, two of them students at Houston. The eldest, who also attended Houston, is a senior at Chestnut Hill Academy. Henry was selected by Houston principal Kim Newman to act as the parent association liaison to the fund. “I’m excited to be able to participate and to help the teachers do more,” she said, standing on the steps of the school’s main entrance. Other committee members include: Pat Harless, Marilyn Lambert, Richard Raisman (principal of Emlen school) and Leslie Winder. Weinstein said he approached Washington for funding at the onset with the goal of raising and giving out $10,000 a year. To date the fund has raised $16,000 between a grant from Washington for $10,000 and another $6,000 in private donations. The fund will accept and review grant applications from teachers at Houston, Linglebach, A.B. Day, Henry and Emlen schools twice a year. The grants can range from $50 to $500 each and can be used for anything from field trips to classroom items. “We already got a call from a teacher at Henry who wants to buy a rug for her classroom so the kids could sit on the rug during reading time,” said Weinstein, who is proprietor of the Trolley Car Diner and chair of the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District. Franklin Kinder was one of three Houston teachers at the press conference to praise the new program. “The school district has been cutting back on field trips,” said the seventh and eighth grade science teacher. Speaking at the announcement, Washington praised Weinstein. “Ken is an advocate for people who live in this community,” she said. “He is someone who always speaks out on our behalf.” Washington said she expects to provide the bulk of funding for the fund and heralded its purpose. “I assume I am the major funding source,” she said, ribbing Weinstein next to her (to which Weinstein replied, “I love you”). “I will make sure the $10,000 is there every year. Teachers spend as much time with our children as we do. They spend their own money doing ‘extra.’” The fund is aimed at helping teachers and students. “We want to enhance the student’s experience,” Weinstein said. The first round of applications are due Oct. 15 and decisions will be made by Oct. 20 with funds distributed by Oct. 25. For an application, contact Po-Hong Yu at 215-848-1133, Ext. 208, or e-mail pohong.yu@gmail.com. Contact associate editor Jennifer Katz at 215-248-8804 or jenn@chestnuthilllocal.com.
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