DAPHNE — Daphne's Education Foundation, SEEDS, delivered more than $75,000 in grant funding to the six public schools in the city of Daphne this week.

SEEDS Classroom Enrichment Grants are available to support the implementation of creative and substantive new projects designed by individual Daphne Feeder pattern teachers and/or self-selected faculty teams. The total number and amount of these awards is determined annually based on availability of funds and appropriateness of proposal designs.

Since 2004, SEEDS has invested more than $768,000 into classroom enrichment programs, including STEAM initiatives, art programs, leadership training, mentoring programs, early reading initiatives and the Leader in Me program.

"As an organization, we're focused on expanding our base of supporters to match the explosive growth in our schools," said Beth Dunn, SEEDS Executive Director. "Our goal is to continue providing student enrichment opportunities and professional development for our faculty and innovative learning for all our Daphne Schools."

In 2022, SEEDS awarded $75,000 in grants to Daphne High School, Daphne Middle School, W. J. Carroll Intermediate School, Daphne East Elementary School, Daphne North Elementary School, and Belforest Elementary School.

"We want to say thank you to the community and our sponsors for investing in the education of students in Daphne," said J.D. Weir, SEEDS Chairman. "Without the support and investment that we receive, these grants would not be possible. SEEDS grants are making huge impacts in our classrooms increasing the quality of education our students are receiving and expanding the opportunities that are available for them to learn and grow."

A sampling of grants funded for 2022-2023 academic year include glass beakers and glass graduated cylinders for 8th glass chemistry classes, fiction and non-fiction books, professional development seminar on Science of Reading Strategies in the Classroom, Stop Motion and Clay Animation Software for the Daphne Middle School Library, Compass ll Life Leadership and Mentoring Program at Belforest Elementary, and STEAM labs at Daphne Elementary School and W. J. Carroll Intermediate school.

At Daphne High School the grants helped fund an analytical writing reboot workshop and Alabama student industry tours, among other items.

Grant award winner Michelle Shelley, Media Specialist/Librarian at Daphne Middle School said "We are so honored to receive a SEEDS grant! This opportunity to enrich the media center's technology will benefit all our students. These technology projects will allow us to directly impact our students' daily learning and provide lifelong learning opportunities."

The SEEDS grant program continues to fund creative, innovative, and much-needed programs that otherwise would not be possible through school funds. These resources would not be possible without the generous financial support from the Daphne Community. For more information about SEEDS or how to become a community partner visit www.seedsindaphne.com or call (251)802-5002.