From June 20, 2007 issue School group gives $100K Perry Township teachers are recipients of grants By Keith A. Brown Spotlight correspondent Local educators were treated to a positive example of education after the Perry Township Education Foundation awarded 92 grants for more than $100,000 throughout the past year. The nonprofit organization's current focus is reading and math skills, support for students with learning disabilities and encouraging greater parental involvement. During 2007, PTEF leadership has been providing a monthly series of small group presentations to acquaint the public with the value of the foundation. The June program in this series, called "Kids 'R' Key," was conducted at Abraham Lincoln School last week. Each one begins at 7 p.m. and lasts about an hour. Residents who attend leave with a deeper and more complete understanding of the impact the foundation is having on the learning activities of children. The sessions also serve to encourage support, with financial being only one of several ways such support can be provided. Two main events produce more than half of the group's annual budget &emdash; a summer golf outing and annual art auction and dinner-dance. Administered by 15 voluntary board members and two employees, PTEF was founded in 1994 and operates independently from the administration and school board. Its goals are to supplement tax dollars to enhance the quality of the learning environment, reward excellence, foster community support for public education and encourage innovation. During its 13 years, PTEF has awarded more than 800 grants for $684,000. Currently, about 55 percent of requests are funded, and a maximum amount is set at $1,250. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale. Sandy Howarth has replaced Evelyn Myers as PTEF's executive director. Howarth and others have been providing vivid multi-media descriptions of how grant funds have impacted learning environments. Leaders who presented information about recent programs included Kathy Broughton, administrative assistant; Lee Heap, board member; Karen Ancelet, teacher; Josh Karwowski, board member; Jerry McAfee, officer and volunteer; and Fawn Harris, teacher and grant recipient. The foundation office is in the Perry Township Education Center, 6548 Orinoco Ave., and Howarth can be reached at 789-2395 or showarth@msdpt.k12.in.us. The Spotlight Publishing Company 4217 S. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46217 Office: 317-788-4554 • Fax: 317-788-4570 E-mail: spotlightads@indyweb.net

From June 20, 2007 issue • 1,000 homes...and counting Southsiders help organization build houses along gulf coast • Flag gala at Garfield Park • Iron Angels fly into Indy By Fred D. Cavinder, Spotlight correspondent • School group gives $100K By Keith A. Brown, Spotlight correspondent • Hoosier Hysteria! Local students pay tribute to famous people from Indiana • Arts & Entertainment Page • Pick of the Flicks (Movie review) By Jenny Heron   • Looking Back Spotlight staff • Another Time - Another Place By Anna-Margaret O'Sullivan • Coz' Corner By Jerry L. Cosby • Reality As I See It By Denise Summers, Spotlight staff • Sports Page