The Virginia Beach Public Schools Education Foundation will award more than $119,000 in schoolwide and teacher grants to benefit thousands of students in Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Grant recipients will be recognized for their innovative teaching projects at the Education Foundation’s annual TGIF (Teacher Grants Improve Futures) celebration on Thursday, November 15, at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, located at 201 Market Street near Town Center. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and silent art auction sponsored by Electronic Systems Inc., followed by the awards presentation.

More than 270 Building Futures Grant applications were submitted by VBCPS teachers who designed projects to enrich their students' learning experiences in areas of science, technology, math, reading, writing, art, theater, history and music. Student populations such as at-risk, special needs, preschool, and gifted will benefit from these worthwhile projects. One hundred and nine applications were awarded a Building Futures Grant. In addition, seven schools will receive schoolwide grants. Examples of approved grant projects include preschool literacy initiatives, mentorship programs, the provision of books and math kits for students to take home to reinforce classroom lessons, the use of technology to incorporate virtual fieldtrips and videoconferencing into lessons, and supplying science equipment for young "scientists" to research and collect data in our communities.

Funding for the grants is made possible by donations to the Education Foundation through United Way designations (#2581) and contributions from individuals, businesses and private foundations. The Education Foundation also raises money through its annual golf tournament and the sale of single-family homes constructed by students from the school division's Technical and Career Education Center.

For the first time ever, the TGIF celebration will include two major announcements regarding the Education Foundation’s capital and membership campaigns along with the opportunity for one lucky person to drive away in a brand new car.

For more information about the membership campaign, grant projects, or the Virginia Beach Public Schools Education Foundation, call 757.263.1337.