Third grade students at New Albany Elementary School recently participated in a “Builders of Knowledge” classroom transformation bringing fun to literacy review.
Students put on their hard hats and constructed success with skill-building literacy tools. The construction-themed classroom transformation encouraged students to “build” their reading skills. Hard hats, caution tape, and other themed materials reinforced the idea of using their literacy “tools” for success. This project was funded in part by the Endowment for Excellence in Education classroom grant program.
The Endowment for Excellence in Education was begun in 1986 as the vision of School Board member Dean Provence. Provence, a New Albany native, was an active volunteer in both school and community activities. Through his volunteer efforts, he recognized the need for additional funding in the schools for projects and classroom materials, and was instrumental in establishing the endowment fund. Following his death, the locally supported endowment fund was renamed in memory of Provence and has continued to provide needed funding to classrooms in the New Albany Schools for more than thirty years. Since 1986, the Endowment has provided approximately $437,000 in support to the NASD.
The endowment is funded through individual and corporate contributions and fundraising events sponsored by the Endowment Board. Contributions to the Dean Provence Endowment for Excellence in Education are accepted throughout the year and may be mailed to New Albany Schools, Attention: Melanie Anderson, 1112 Wesson Tate Drive, New Albany, MS 38652.
