Meeting the Needs of Students and Teachers a Priority at BSF
Teachers and students had to respond to challenging circumstances with lightning speed during the past year. Working together, they were able to pivot to a totally new way of learning in a flash! Looking back, it is hard to believe that decades of traditional learning were transformed almost overnight.
Brevard Schools Foundation was right there too, working behind the scenes to make sure teachers and students had the tools they needed to keep learning open even when schools were closed.
As schools began closing, the Foundation team met with school administrators to assess what schools would need to successfully navigate through the unchartered territory created by the pandemic. Providing low-income and homeless students with supplies needed to transition to distance learning became priority number one. With this mission in mind, Brevard Schools Foundation staff, volunteer and donors jumped into action. Here are just a few highlights:
- $250,000 worth of supplies was provided to 10,000 students in-need during the initial phase of the school shut down. This included school supplies, hygiene items and reading books for low-income and homeless students.
- $30,000 in mini grants were given to 600 teachers to help them adapt to distance learning.
- 195,000 worth of backpacks, school supply kits, book kits, dental hygiene products and reusable face masks distributed at the Supply Zone for Teachers annual Back-to-School Giveaway Event. With the help of donors and volunteers, the Supply Zone loaded vehicles for 2,100 low income families. Additionally, the Foundation partnered with Farm Share to hand out 42,000 lbs. of fresh, healthy food during the event.
- $42,516 in Bright Ideas Classroom Grants were awarded for 40 innovative classroom projects.
- 400,000 worth of school supplies, hygiene products and PPE was provided to 1,100 Brevard Public Schools educators in the new drive-through format during the first semester.
- 6,700 canisters of disinfectant wipes, 16,000 reusable face masks, 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and 45,000 books were recently delivered by volunteers to 30 high-poverty schools in the district.
- 100,000 brand-new, bestseller books are currently being packaged and delivered to schools to give at-risk students to have access to reading material.
As you can see, Brevard Schools Foundation is focused on helping students achieve their educational goals and to helping teachers become the best in their profession. Our community is made stronger when we invest in education. We are thankful and grateful to the many individuals and businesses who generously supported our projects over the past year.