IRVINE
Computers, books, jump ropes and field trips to colleges. These are some of the things Irvine teachers will buy after receiving more than $46,000 in “mini-grants” from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation.
The foundation awarded the money in 28 grants, which range from $215 to $2,500, to teachers at a ceremony Thursday.
“I confess I don’t know what half of [these programs] are,” said Carolyn McInerney, the foundation’s president. “But we so appreciate the work that you do and want to honor you this afternoon with a little token of appreciation.”
Inaugurated 12 years ago, the mini-grants help teachers offer students more.
“The district didn’t have the discretionary money to give to teachers with good ideas,” said Barbara Reynolds, the foundation trustee who coordinates the grants. Since most state funds are earmarked for specific instructional materials, teachers trying to enhance their programs often couldn’t buy what they wanted.
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