By CYNDI GRAHAM
Moapa Valley Progress
For the second time this year, Ute V. Perkins Elementary School was awarded a $30,000 grant by the Edna Rose Crane Educational Foundation.
After winning its first Edna Rose Crane grant in March, the school was encouraged to apply again.
Assistant Principal Kelby Robison applied the first time in February of 2019. The proposal was to obtain funding to highlight programs and resources that were needed to improve academic achievement for students at the school. This allowed Perkins to purchase books and reading curriculum sets in each classroom and add additional books to the schools library. It enabled the entire school to have common materials for literacy using the ReadyGen Literacy Program. This program is known for accelerating learning, driving students and motivating young readers.
But with this second grant comes additional items expected to aide in the teachers tool box, Robison said. These include new digital books for students and more beefing up of materials in the school library. Robison explained that each classroom will be equipped to educate through books in the hands of individual students. Students will be able to practice, build motivation and improve their reading stamina with this new program, Robison said.\
“We appreciate the $60,000 we’ve received this year from the Edna Rose Crane Educational Foundation,” Robison said. “We could not have afforded to implement this school-wide program without it. We are excited for the new changes. We hope the kids enjoy it and develop a love of reading and writing because of it.”
The Edna Rose Crane grant monies are gifted to provide support programs in literacy by maximizing educational experiences, inspiring students to reach their potentials, believe in themselves and become life-long learners and successful citizens.