New Haven School Fund Awards Grants to New Haven Elementary
Fund Gives Back as Part of the Meigs County Community Fund
Pictured from left to right: The recipients of this year’s Excellence in Teaching Award, Kira Northup and Jacque Richardson, a member of the Meigs County Community Fund advisory committee, John Hoback, and the recipients of this year’s classroom enrichment grants, Marla Ingels and Kathy Baker.
New Haven, WV – When Dr. Harry Keig made a gift through his will to create the New Haven School Fund to support his childhood elementary school, he envisioned enriching the education of students far into the future. The projects funded through the most recent grant round of the New Haven School Fund once again brought Dr. Keig’s original vision to fruition.
Like many growing up along the banks of the Ohio River, Dr. Keig had his feet, and his heart, in two states. After attending elementary school in Mason, West Virginia, Dr. Keig attended the former Middleport High School across the river in Ohio’s Meigs County. When he passed away in 2003, Dr. Keig left gifts through his will to establish two endowment funds, the Forrest Bachtel Scholarship Fund to support scholarships at Meigs High School, as well as the New Haven School Fund to support the elementary school that laid the foundation of his education and provided a strong start for his future career as a doctor.
The purpose of the New Haven School Fund is two-fold: to provide grants that directly enrich the classroom experience of students at New Haven Elementary and to provide Excellence in Teaching awards that support professional development opportunities for teachers engaging in and looking to expand novel classroom techniques in the school.
This year, the New Haven School Fund awarded three grants to support New Haven Elementary School during the 2018-2019 school year.
Kathy Ann Baker received a grant of $3,340, which will be used to purchase large blocks for the Imagination Station Playground project. Children playing with these large blocks will enhance their curiosity and motor skills both in the classroom and on the playground, taking children back to the basics of imaginative play.
Marla Ingalls received a $2,718.25 award for the Headphones for All program. Grant dollars will be used to purchase over 500 pairs of headphones in order to continue using school-issued Chromebooks in the classroom while minimizing noise, thus making the classroom less disruptive and improving focus, particularly during testing.
The 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award recognized Jacque Richardson and Kira Northup for their efforts to educate their students through project-based learning by exposing fifth grade students to lessons about finance, culture, and philanthropy. A yearly project-based-learning opportunity that the two educators facilitate connects these disparate pieces by following the story of a young boy who takes out a loan to buy a chicken, using the eggs to help feed his community. The unit discusses chicken farming, banking and loans, and community improvement. Students then implement lessons from the story as they take out “loans” to make and sell items including pencils, bookmarks, games, and jewelry, with profits benefitting the local food drive.
The $4,000 Excellence in Teaching Award will support professional development opportunities for Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Northrup to attend the Teach Your Heart Out Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this spring.
The New Haven School Fund is a part of the Meigs County Community Fund Family of Funds, a local community fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). The Meigs County Community Fund was created in 2011 to increase and advance philanthropic activities in Meigs County. The Fund works to attract philanthropic resources in the form of gifts, grants, or bequests to benefit the broader community. It helps everyone give back to the Meigs County community.
Gifts to both the New Haven School Fund and Meigs County Community Fund are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, and life insurance. Donations can be made online at www.AppalachianOhio.org by designating either fund when donating. To mail your donation, please designate the fund and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764.
To learn more about the Meigs County Community Fund and how you can follow the example of Dr. Harry Keig to support the communities closest to your heart, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org or call 740.753.1111.
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About the Meigs County Community Fund
The Meigs County Community Fund was created in 2011 to increase and advance philanthropic activities in Meigs County. The Meigs County Community Fund works to attract philanthropic resources in the form of gifts, grants, or bequests to benefit the broader community. It helps everyone give back to Meigs County so the community can invest grants to benefit Meigs County residents.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
