On March 28, the Education Foundation held their yearly grant patrol. The Foundation, along with their donors, board members and student volunteers, visited all of the campuses in the district to surprise teachers with grants.

“The schools are already provided with money from the state for the school district,” LISD Education Foundation president Vickie Frazier said. “[The Foundation has] the opportunity to give back directly to the teachers to provide students with wonderful opportunities with ideas that the teachers create.”

The Foundation raises money for the grants through various fundraisers. This year’s largest fundraiser was the annual district-wide showcase, Act 8. Local businesses and organizations such as Red Baron Building Co., Hideaway Kiwanis Club and Leslie Cain Realty also make donations towards the grant program.

“My favorite part [of the grant patrol] is seeing the excitement from the teachers and students when they are awarded the funds that will be used for new tools in their classroom,” LISD Education Foundation executive director Courtney Sanguinetti said. “These tools are very innovative and the teachers take a long time to apply for [a grant], so it’s exciting to see their reactions to the hard work paying off.”

Physics and engineering teacher Duane Walton was one of this year’s grant recipients. He earned a grant for his AP physics classes.

“It’s always exciting to get a grant from the Education Foundation when the grant patrol comes through the school,” Walton said. “We heard the drumline and I was filled with excitement and anticipation that maybe I was getting a grant today. The grant is called My World Spinning Round and Round. It is lab equipment to help us better understand circular and rotational motion.”

Head baseball coach Rich Sanguinetti and head softball coach Meredith Grant also received a grant. Their grant goes towards a Fungoman machine- a machine that is set at home plate and programmed by coaches to release different types of ground balls and fly balls to players.

“It is a huge asset for our players and our program,” Rick Sanguinetti said. “Softball will use it as well. It is a way for us to maximize our coaching and it really allows us to be more hands on with our coaching. Instead of actually having to hit the ground balls, we can stand out there with our players and talk to them as they’re fielding the ground balls. We are really excited about it and it is going to be a huge asset for our players.”