Thirteen grants were presented by Walton EMC at eight schools this week, providing teachers and support staff with more than a total of $50,000. This is the second year that Walton EMC has provided educational grants to Oconee County Schools.

“We are very appreciative of Walton EMC for continuing to be such a strong partner with Oconee County Schools,” said Superintendent Jason Branch. “These grants will further enhance our learning environments in the areas of technology, science, reading, mental health and community service, and support the excellent education our students receive each and every day. Our teachers and staff look forward to incorporating these projects into their classrooms.”

Walton EMC awards grants annually due to unclaimed capital credits. After efforts are exhausted to find rightful owners, funds go into an endowment provided for by Georgia law. Grants are then awarded following an application process.

Below is more information on the grants funded this year:

Colham Ferry Elementary School
One grant is being used to purchase compound microscopes – whereby the images shown under the microscope can be displayed on projection screens. Another grant is being used to purchase a classroom set of Google Expeditions, enabling students to go on virtual field trips to places all over the world.

High Shoals Elementary School
A grant is being used to fully develop an outdoor garden into an English garden with a farm to table component.

Malcom Bridge Elementary School
iPads and books for beginning readers are being purchased for kindergarten classes. This is to further implement a framework known as “Daily 5” – reading to self, reading to someone, word work, listening to reading and working on writing.
 
Oconee County Elementary School
One grant is being used to provide Resources classrooms with adaptive technology – such as iPads, headsets for Chromebooks and more. Another grant is being used to build a lending library to support family engagement and student growth.

Oconee County Primary School
Two grants were awarded – one to be used for speech and language materials for students with a variety of special needs. The teacher who received the grant serves four schools, so this will be utilized at elementary and secondary levels. The other grant will be used to purchase sensory materials for students who need items such as pencil grips, weighted pencils, noise-canceling headphones and more.

Rocky Branch Elementary School
To further expand their partnership with Lanier Gardens retirement community, students will expand raised garden beds so that residents can access the gardens while in wheelchairs. Funding will also be used to purchase iPads and other resources to support a fitness program for seniors.

Oconee County Middle School
Three ovens will be purchased, which will greatly enhance the Family and Consumer Sciences kitchen. Another grant was also awarded, which will enable teachers to create school-specific video resources in math to support parents and students in extending their learning at home.

North Oconee High School
The first of two grants will be used for the school to update suicide prevention materials. The second grant will be used so that graphic design students can produce items they design in-house.