First Ever Team Grant—$10K
NEF Team Grant Buys “WHEELS”
for Jay Science Academy

“Wonderful!” exclaimed Jay Science and Engineering Academy Director Margaret Greff upon winning the first-ever Team Grant presented by Northside Education Foundation. Jay’s program, “WHEELS,” will provide $10,000 for 100 Academy students to teach chemistry and physics mini-courses to students in NISD middle and elementary schools.

Truly a “team” effort, the program is designed to improve science scores for all ages and increase enrollment in Science and Engineering.

In announcing the grant, NEF President Mary Etlinger said, “The Foundation is delighted to be able to make a meaningful gift to an innovative program. The Team Grant concept is designed to capture the imaginations of future NEF donors, who will be able to “shop” for excellent programs they choose to fund.”

Future scientists. (Front row l-r) Mary Hull ES fifth grade students Joshua Mendez and Brandon DelaGarza with (back l-r) Jay Science and Engineering Academy representatives Selina Smith, 11th grade; Mary Etlinger, NEF President; Andres Montemayor, 12th grade; Peggy Greff, lead teacher; and Danielle Goguen, 11th grade.

Folks' Sayings

Red Ribbon Week –
making a difference

Traveling around the District this past week, red ribbons could be seen on poles, fences and everywhere in between thus marking Red Ribbon Week. This year marks the 17th annual celebration of Red Ribbon Week.

It was inspired by the life and work of Drug Enforcement Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, a young man who joined the DEA in order to fight illegal drugs. While working undercover in Mexico in 1985, he was kidnapped, tortured and killed by drug traffickers.

Responding to his murder, the citizens in his hometown of Calexico, California began wearing red ribbons. In 1988, Congress officially proclaimed the last week of October as Red Ribbon Week. Now, over 100,000 schools and other organizations across the U.S. spend time to spread the important message about living a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle.

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