FORT MYERS, FL (November 2008) – Local elementary schools have an extra reason to be thankful when they receive $5,000 from Johnson Engineering’s 2008 Support Our Schools program.

Five area counties each picked one K-5 school within their district to receive the grant. The schools selected for the grant are Tice Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Pasco County; Peace River Elementary, Charlotte County; Eden Park Elementary, Collier County; and LaBelle Elementary, Hendry County.
The schools will purchase $1,000 of reading materials at their next Scholastic Book Fair. The remaining $4,000 will go towards equipment and supplies for the school’s teachers.

The Lee County School District selected Tice Elementary School from its 43 public elementary schools because of its stellar approach to parent involvement and support. The school provides classes to help parents learn English, and workshops to help them guide their children both socially and academically. Child care is provided while parents attend these workshops. Tice’s principal, Jim Jackson, accepted the $5,000 check during a presentation at the school Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
The Pasco County School Board selected Woodland Elementary because of its strong literary focus and its need for more classroom library resources Woodland Elementary principal Kimberly Poe accepted the $5,000 check during a presentation at the school Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

The Hendry County School Board selected LaBelle Elementary for its administration and faculty’s consistent efforts in maintaining high standards and expectations for its students. The school also excels in parent involvement. LaBelle Elementary principal John Baker accepted the $5,000 check during a presentation at the school Wednesday Nov. 19 at 10 a.m.

The Collier County School Board selected Eden Park Elementary in order to assist the instructional staff of 49, which includes eight first-year teachers and 11 teachers new to the School District of Collier County. The award will help with staff development and materials for the school that is comprised of a student population that is 95 percent economically needy, with 34 percent of the student body having limited English proficiency. Eden Park Elementary principal Melba Meriwether accepted the $5,000 check during a presentation at the school Thursday Nov. 20 at 9 a.m.

The Charlotte County School Board selected Peace River Elementary for the grant because of its ability to overcome the socioeconomic issues a large portion of its students face in order to earn A-School status from the state of Florida. Peace River principal Bertie Alvarez accepted the $5,000 check during a presentation at the school Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The school will use $1,000 of the grant to purchase reading materials at their next Scholastic Book Fair. The remaining $4,000 will go towards equipment and supplies for the school’s teachers.