Sequim Gazette staff

Sequim Education Foundation recently awarded $4,830 in grants to public school teachers for extracurricular programs.

The foundation grants for teachers' classroom projects provide funding for learning experiences for Sequim public school students.

Since 2001, SEF has contributed more than $40,000 in grants benefiting an estimated 30,000 students in Sequim classrooms.

Grants recipients included teacher Sue Park for a before-school math program; Diane Piersoll for interactive white boards, Sue Brown and Bill Isenberg for electronic math flash cards; Kristi Short for tools for Future Farmers of America; Elizabeth Lawson for a districtwide reading program and books; Jake Reichner for a photo printer and quality ceramic glazes; David Hasenpflug for interactive educational science toys; Sheri Suryan for a math fact game; and Doug Hastings for Nerf safe-play balls.

The First Teacher Program was awarded funds for Parenting Matters pre-kindergarten program.

The foundation's grant committee members for 2010-2011 are chairman Kathy Schock; Kelly Anders, Sequim Middle School student representative; retired teacher Molly Christianson; Rachel Hughes, Sequim High School student representative; foundation board member Elna Kawal; and CPA David McHugh.

The committee and teachers work hand-in-hand to coordinate projects that aim to help fulfill Washington state objectives while sparking children's interest in learning.

See a full list of foundation grants at sequimeducation foundation.org.