2011 Eleanor Venture Grant Recipient to Present Fantastic Belize and Guatemala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Kathy Hall, Executive Director

Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley

303-807-2574 (cell)    hall.kathy.efsvv@comcast.net    www.efsvv.org

2011 Eleanor Venture Grant Recipient to Present Fantastic Belize and Guatemala

Longmont, CO - January 3, 2012 - The Board of Directors of the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley invites the public to meet and hear a captivating presentation by the 2011 Eleanor Venture travel grant recipient Scott Brungardt.  Scott, who teaches biology at Erie High School, traveled to Belize and Guatemala to explore the vibrant world of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the terrestrial ecosystems and rainforests of Belize and Guatemala, and the extravagant architecture, rituals and games of the ancient Mayan culture. His explorations will fascinate the audience and demonstrate how real-world learning experiences translate into clearer understanding of such concepts as ecosystems, photosynthesis and the interdependence between various life forms in his classroom.  

Scott’s presentation will be given on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Erie High School, 3180 County Road 5 in Erie.  Light refreshments will be provided.  Call 303-807-2574 for more information.

The grant is named in honor of Eleanor Flanders, founder and past president of the foundation, who believes that the study of other cultures and times can powerfully impact the educational process.

Applications for the 2012 Eleanor Venture Travel Grant 

Applications for The Eleanor Venture, a grant established in 2004 to support a personal travel experience for a teacher within the boundaries of the St. Vrain Valley School District, are available beginning today.  This annual award is given to a practicing K-12 public school teacher who desires to enrich his or her instructional expertise through travel.  Applications and selection criteria are available at www.efsvv.org under “Programs”.   Applications must be electronically submitted on or before March 1, 2012.

About the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley

Founded in 1985, the Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization  It’s mission is to provide resources and educational opportunities, in partnership with St. Vrain Valley Schools and our local communities, to enhance student success and teacher excellence  Over the years, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of grants to classroom teachers to provide opportunities that students would not otherwise have had.  Such grants not only provide learning opportunities for students, they renew teachers, give them another tool for teaching and provide them with reinforcement which says that their ideas are important.  Since its inception, the Foundation has made awards totaling approximately $1.5 million. 

About Eleanor Flanders

Eleanor was active in the Longmont community for many years where she and husband Larry raised their four children. Combining her desire to serve the community and her lifelong interest in education, Eleanor was elected to the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education in 1978. During her eight years on the board, she served as vice president. Her respect for the skill and dedication of Longmont’s teachers led her to form the Foundation near the end of her board service.

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