General News: Larkin Funds Teacher-Library Grant
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| These teachers talked about the grant at a snow-day lunch at Painters. |
February 22, 2008
Cornwall elementary school teachers can look forward to some extra money to purchase items that they frequently pay for on their own, drawing on a $16,000 grant from Senator Bill Larkin’s office.
The news of the Kids Count grant – a total of $248,00 to 62 schools in Orange and Ulster counties - was greeted enthusiastically by a group of elementary teachers who were lunching together at Painter’s Friday afternoon while the snow fell outside.
Kelly Hogan, who teaches third grade at Willow Avenue elementary school said principal Greg Schmalz told her that each of the five grades at the K-5 school would receive $800.00.
The five teachers from Cornwall-on-Hudson said they hadn’t heard about the grant yet, but could think of many ways the money will help in the classroom. The teachers – Shari Clerkin, Irene Pons, Kelly Hogan, Mary Ann McCarthy, Joanne Crispo and Michele Powell, pictured above -- agreed that they spend as much $500 apiece on extra supplies and teaching materials each year. Decorating the classroom each summer for the returning students was mentioned by some in the group, along with buying curriculum-related books with cash from your pocket.
“People might say you don’t have to do that extra project,” Irene Pons said, as she described some of the materials she purchased with her own money. “But that’s not my philosophy as teacher.”
The Larkin said in a press release that he created the Kids Count program because he recognizes that teachers “are constantly using money out of their own pockets.“ Two local library networks will share $40,500 under the grant.
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