Teacher grants available

The board of directors of the Frederick School Enrichment foundation has announced two new programs intended to benefit the teachers and students of Frederick Public Schools. The first will reimburse every teacher that wishes to apply up to $200 for personal expenses that he or she has incurred preparing the classroom for the beginning of the 2022 school year.

The foundation has set aside $30,000 for grants for the second program. This is an updated reinstated program that permits teachers to make applications for grants up to $2,000 that will enhance the learning opportunities of their students.

A letter of explanation, forms, and grant application have been mailed to all current teachers. The deadline for returning the teacher reimbursement form is Oct. 1, 2022. The teacher grant application final deadline is Friday, July 3, 2022. All reimbursement forms and grant applications should be returned to Benson Law Firm, where additional forms are available if needed. For questions, call Loyd Benson at 580-335-7541.

The Frederick School Enrichment Foundation was established in 1987 by Howard M. McBee of McBee and Benson Law Firm as a result of a bequest from Clara Berry and a subsequent substantial contribution from the estate of Lorene Wessel, a lifelong Frederick resident. Those bequests and the support of the Frederick community have made the foundation one of the strongest school foundations in the state.

The members of the board include Loyd Benson, chair, Homer Ryan, John Hester, Casey Caldwell, Mark Bobo, and Brad Benson. Over the past 10 years the foundation has contributed almost $300,000 in scholarships for Frederick graduates and has contributed almost $320,000 to Frederick public schools for various projects that have positively impacted students. The board decided this year on a more hands on approach that will personally support teachers as well as encouraging teachers to identify specific programs that will improve classroom learning experiences for their students.