BEF Grant Patrol delivers more than $118,000 in classroom grants

Special to the Journal

The Belton Education Foundation Grant Patrol brought celebration and surprise to campuses across Belton ISD on Tuesday, December 9, as BEF trustees, Belton ISD Board of Trustees members, district leaders and community partners traveled by school bus to deliver classroom grants directly into teachers’ hands.

This year’s Grant Patrol awarded 49 grants totaling $118,159.02 at 20 campuses, supporting innovative instructional ideas and hands-on learning experiences from early childhood through high school.

Ellen Burnett, President of the Belton Education Foundation, said the annual tradition is “one of our favorite ways to celebrate the heart of teaching and learning in Belton ISD.”

She added, “The Grant Patrol is meaningful because it puts resources directly into classrooms where they can make an immediate impact on students. It is a way for us to recognize that the community believes deeply in their work.”

Two bus routes, North and South, departed from the Belton Early Childhood School at 9 a.m. and visited classrooms across the district to surprise teachers with grant checks.

Burnett noted, “Seeing the responses, the joy, the shock, the gratitude never gets old. It is wonderful to watch these teachers light up when they realize their idea is being supported. BEF and BISD board members, BISD administrators and donors all join in the fun of presenting grants, and every stop is a celebration.”

This year’s funded projects focus on expanding STEAM learning, enhancing literacy, strengthening hands-on science, supporting special education and growing opportunities in areas including robotics, media, esports and assistive technology.

Burnett emphasized that each grant is carefully considered.

“Every proposal is reviewed by a committee of Foundation board members,” she said. “We evaluate submissions based on student impact, innovation, alignment with district goals and feasibility. We aim to find a balanced mix of projects that support a wide range of campuses, grade levels and instructional needs.”

Among the proposals reviewed, one stood out strongly to Burnett: a Micro Camp initiative at Lake Belton High School. “This proposal really resonated with me because it was not designed for just one classroom or one campus. It truly benefits the entire district,” she said. “Students will engage in hands-on microbiology labs, environmental sampling and Gram staining while exploring health science CTE pathways and HOSA. It is immersive, it is collaborative and it encourages leadership and early career exploration. That is the kind of innovation we are excited to champion.”

One of the many educators celebrating a grant-funded opportunity was Belton High School construction careers instructor Michael Carrillo, whose award will expand electrical training and certification options for students.

“The grant is now allowing us to do the next level certification that prepares them for when they go to the workforce,” Carrillo said. “Right out of graduation, they’re ready to go into the workforce as an electrician or an apprentice electrician.”

Carrillo emphasized how transformative the hands-on experience will be for his students.

“Honestly, it’s practical, so instead of like paper tests and stuff like that, they have to know competencies,” he said. “When they graduate, they graduate with all these competencies in the electrical field.”

He also shared his gratitude with the Foundation and community donors.

“A big heartfelt thank you,” Carrillo said. “It is going to elevate the program. It’s going to bring more electricians out of this program. A lot of the students are starting to realize that they don’t really need college they can make a great career in the electrical field. By this donation, it’s going to boost them once they graduate and prepare for the workforce.”

Master electrician and SkillsUSA mentor Mike Ming echoed the impact of the grant.

“For the electrical contracting, the students, with hands-on experience, learn how to twist wires, bend conduit, all that stuff they would have to learn in the field, but here they’ve already got a head start on it,” he said. “Plus, this program offers them the certifications for equipment they will be using. It’s a huge jump start for their career.”

Burnett also highlighted how the Grant Patrol strengthens relationships across the district. “Grant Patrol days create a sense of shared celebration,” she said. “Teachers see adults investing in their learning and community members get a firsthand look at the passion in our classrooms. It reinforces that we are all partners, families, educators and local supporters, working toward the same goal of helping Belton ISD students thrive.”

She added that none of this would be possible without the community’s investment in public education.

“Every grant we award is made possible by generous donors who believe in our mission,” Burnett said. “Grant Patrol is not just about awarding funds. It is about recognizing the dedication of our teachers and investing in the future of our students. We are grateful for everyone who helps make that possible, and we welcome anyone who would like to be part of our growing grant program.”

“We are incredibly proud of our teachers and grateful to the Belton Education Foundation for their continued commitment to students,” said Belton ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. “These grants fuel creativity in our classrooms and open the door to meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Grant Patrol is a powerful reminder of what happens when a community invests in the success of every student.”

Teachers will use their grant funding to support the projects outlined in their proposals, each designed to enhance learning experiences for students across Belton ISD.

For more information about the Belton Education Foundation or to make a donation, please visit https://beltoneducationfoundation.org.

Full List of BEF Grant Patrol Grants
Belton Early Childhood School
• Indoor Large Motor Lab on Wheels — $2,800

Cedar Ridge Elementary
• Code Botley 2.0 — $639.92
• James L. Burrell Elementary
• Small Group Interventions — $1,200

Building Brains and Bonds-On Enrichment for Soft Start — $1,000

Charter Oak Elementary
• Unlocking Learning: Breakout EDU — $1,194

Special Education Sensory — $2,000

Hands-On STEAM: Expanding Science Exploration in the Library — $4,398

Chisholm Trail Elementary
• Printing the Future: Empowering Young Innovators with 3D Technology — $500

• Attention… BREAKING NEWS!! — $3,000

Leaps and Bounds for Blazers Dance — $1,000

High Point Elementary
• Energy Explorers: Building a Classroom Renewable Energy Lab — $7,500

• Empowering Learners with Sensory and Focus Tools — $657.88

Lakewood Elementary
• Kindergarten STEAM and STEAM Precursor — $6,174

• Game On for Speech: Interactive Resources — $560

Joe M. Pirtle Elementary
• Dashing in STEM — $3,000

• Sip and Skills: Building Workforce Readiness in ALE — $500

• Building Minds with Bricks: LEGO Science Education — $4,760.84

Southwest Elementary
• Igniting Literacy: STEM Adventures in the Library — $1,320.57

• Coffee Cart and Lemonade Cart — $1,500

STEM Stations — $4,368.97

Alice J. Tarver Elementary
• Osmo for Kindergarten Classroom — $1,700

• Tumbles Coffee Cart — $875.78

Belton Middle School
• Robotics for the Win — $4,200

• Story Drama — $800

• Beyond the Textbook: Creating Dynamic Science Learners in Belton ISD — $1,600

Spherion Middle School
• Sixth Grade Science Labs — $4,000

Lake Belton Middle School
• Journalism Filming Equipment — $250

• Etch-A-Sketch for Each and Every Artist — $875

North Belton Middle School
• Bronco Media — $500

• Turning Pages, Building Futures: Novels and Hands-On Learning — $2,000

South Belton Middle School
• SBMS Science: Equipping Labs for Safety and Discovery — $4,000

Belton High School
• Translation Pens — $5,000

• Greenlee Trade Labs Electrical Certificate Program — $10,000

• Tiger STEAM Makerspace — $7,175

• Belton Tigers Esports — $5,000

Science in Action: Engaging Every Learner Through Hands-On Exploration — $2,000

Belton New Tech @Waskow
• Cameras for Yearbook Program — $3,000

Lake Belton High School
• Cyber-Resilience Challenge: Cybersecurity Escape Room Kits and Mentorship — $693.45

• Micro Camp — $3,755

• The Interdisciplinary Research Symposium — $2,151

• Game the System: Teaching Economics and Politics Through Play — $2,000

Administration
• Bridging Ability and Activity with Assistive Technology in Adapted PE — $2,465.91

DAEP
• STEM Kits for Elementary Students — $500

Delta Program
• Delta Art Room — $2,000

• Printing Possibilities: Empowering Adults with Special Needs — $259