The Decatur ISD Education Foundation’s "Surprise Squad" brought a wave of excitement to McCarroll Middle School this March, awarding a total of $19,431.82 to support a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs. These grants will fund everything from outdoor learning spaces to specialized arts equipment and student-led book clubs.
A Diverse Range of Discovery
The largest award of the visit, $3,500.00, went to Sarah Atterberry for the "Bright Futures Outdoors" initiative, funded by Roy and Jeannine Eaton. This project will transform outdoor spaces into functional learning environments for students.
The MMS arts and culture programs also received significant boosts:
Kristal Jones & Kaylee Gayan: $3,000.00 for "Pottery at the Middle School" (Funded by the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation, Bagwell family, and Lara family).
Kaylee Gayan: $2,955.00 for "Cultural Connections: Exploring Heritage through Fine Arts" (Funded by Danny and Eileen Cross).
Fostering Connection and Literacy
Recognizing the importance of social-emotional learning and literacy, the Foundation funded several projects designed to build community:
Jennifer Vaughan: $2,787.00 for the "Middle School Mentor Book Clubs" (Funded by Jennifer Vaughan).
Amber Bruegel: $1,585.50 for "MMS Life Skills Library" (Funded by the Cocanougher Foundation).
Kaylee Gayan & Kristal Jones: $1,440.00 for "Capturing Creativity" (Funded by the Cocanougher Foundation).
Additional winners included Kandi Arrington ($1,294.00 for "Science of Reading for Secondary Students"), Coby Van Huss ($1,000.00 for "The McCarroll Middle School Choral Library"), Brittney Neighbors ($922.32 for "Unlocking Curiosity"), and Kristal Jones ($948.00 for "Clay Play").
"McCarroll Middle School serves a critical age group, and these grants reflect a commitment to keeping those students engaged and inspired," said Monique Bird, Executive Director of the Decatur ISD Education Foundation. "Whether it’s clay in the art room or a mentor book club, our donors are helping these educators create a school culture where every student can find their niche."