Newton Community and Healthcare Foundation: What's New

Newton Ccommunity and Healthcare Foundation

Excellence in Education Grant Awarded

Newton High School chemistry teacher Jon Preston believed that if his chemistry students had computer-based lab equipment it would enhance their performance in chemistry class.

He believed it strongly enough to apply for an Excellence in Education Grant awarded through the USD 373 Education Endowment. And his proposal was compelling. Preston became the first $500 Excellence in Education Grant recipient at a dinner benefit hosted by the endowment this spring.

The grant will fund the LabPro Interface System that benefits not only chemistry students but also those in biology, physics and anatomy classes as well.

Preston, a 14-year educator with the Newton school system, was one of 15 grant applicants this past spring.

"We were very pleased to award our first grant," said Dr. John Morton, superintendent of schools for USD 373. "And we‚re hoping to provide several grants a year as our funds increase."

The USD 373 Education Endowment was established two years ago to provide students and staff of the Newton public schools with academic programs, enrichment activities and professional opportunities not otherwise allocated within the budget constraints of the Newton school district.

"There's a growing level of support for our endowment," said Morton. "Employees are beginning to give more, and the community is becoming more involved. I hope to double our fund in the next two to three years, and I'm optimistic we can do that.

"The Boardof Education and the school district were forward-thinking when they established this endowment," added Morton. "This is the way of the future. School districts are going to have to become more inventive and resourceful to finance quality education."

The USD 373 Education Endowment Fund is a permanent endowment fund of Newton Community & Healthcare Foundation, designated to benefit USD 373.

For more information on the endowment, contact Loren Friesen at 316-804-6007 .