CISD Education Foundation has Awarded Over $156,000 in Grants to Support Local Students and Teachers

PRESS RELEASE - CUERO RECORD

Cuero, TX — The Cuero ISD Education Foundation has awarded $156,138.98 in classroom grants over the past two school years, supporting teachers and students across Cuero ISD. These funds have helped bring innovative programs, professional development, and essential resources into classrooms — a direct reflection of the Foundation’s mission to advance educational excellence and opportunity.

For the 2024–2025 school year, grants funded a wide range of classroom and district-wide initiatives. Teachers received specialized training through the “Take Flight Retraining” grant ($1,817.58), which provided a comprehensive, multisensory approach to teaching students with dyslexia. Additional training was funded through two Scottish Rite Learning Center grants — one ($1,685.85) designed to support all dyslexia students across the district, and another ($465) focused specifically on providing a structured, 9-week program for newly identified and older dyslexic students. High school culinary students explored real-world kitchen skills through “Cruisin’ With My Foodies” ($4,500), while the “Culinary Prep Tables” grant ($1,643.42) brought classroom equipment up to industry standards.

Theatre students received a major boost with the “Safe Unit for Creative Sets” grant ($5,750.00), allowing for the safe and creative construction of UIL performance sets. Meanwhile, the “Engineering the Future” grant ($4,071.19) introduced high schoolers to 3D modeling, prototyping, and robotics — skills that support both TEKS requirements and competitive UIL teams.

Student wellness and engagement were also prioritized. “The Chill Zone: Where Calm Meets Clarity” ($4,757.53) created a sensory room to promote self-regulation and focus, and “Classroom VR” ($15,616) brought immersive learning through virtual field trips and interactive lessons. Younger students explored music through “Strumming Up New Tunes” ($2,391.86), and Life Skills classrooms received tools to promote positive behavior and sensory learning with the “Sensory Target Learning” grant ($3,425.65). Teachers will attend the “Get Your ‘Teach On’” conference ($6,012), providing hands-on, collaborative training to improve classroom instruction.

The Foundation renewed its annual “Lend a Helping Hand” grant ($2,000), which provides essential items such as school supplies, hygiene products, and clothing for students and staff. The “Back-To-School” Visa Gift Card program also continued, distributing over $25,000 ($25,467.50) in 2024 alone to teachers for classroom setup and supplies.

These awards build on a strong 2023–2024 grant year, which funded programs like raised-bed gardens, math fluency incentives, flexible classroom seating, and revitalized art and culinary programs. In 2023, the Foundation distributed over $20,000 in classroom gift card support through the “Back-To-School” program and continued its commitment to supporting basic student needs with the “Lend a Helping Hand” grant.

The Enduring Legacy and Concert for Classrooms fundraising campaigns generate funds that go directly to benefit individual schools or the district as a whole in the form of teacher appreciation, special projects, and grants like these.

Educators: Apply for a GrantHave a creative idea that could benefit your students or campus? The Cuero ISD Education Foundation’s Educator Grant Program is here to support you! Designed to encourage and reward innovative instructional approaches, the program is open to Cuero ISD employees involved in teaching or related student support services. Grants can be submitted anytime throughout the year, with funds available January through December—no set deadline! Learn more and apply at cueroedfoundation.org/how-we-help.

Community: Help Fund Innovative EducationWant to help bring more creative, engaging projects to Cuero ISD classrooms? Support the Foundation’s grant efforts by donating to the Enduring Legacy campaign, sponsoring or attending the annual Concert for Classrooms, or exploring other ways to get involved. Visit cueroedfoundation.org/how-you-can-help to learn more. Every contribution helps spark innovation and student success.

For more information, please contact the Cuero ISD Education Foundation at info@cueroedfoundation.org or call 361-275-4628.