Earlier this year, the Community Foundation fulfilled another donor’s wish to support high quality teaching through its Priscilla and Ellis D. Slater Excellence in Teaching Awards. Sarah Schladenhauffen from Polk Central Elementary School, Rachel Hall from Polk County High School, Rebecca Hockenberry from O.P. Earle Elementary and Laurin Baker from Landrum High School all received Slater awards to attend conferences, study abroad, and earn master’s degrees to enhance their teaching and benefit their students. A second cycle of Slater grants will be awarded in the fall, with an application deadline of Tuesday, August 27 by 1 p.m.

Recent grant funding of O.P. Earle’s Kessler Cultural Evenings, Polk Central’s new playground, field trips for Sunny View students, Tryon Elementary’s visits to colleges, and the Polk County High School Farm demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to excellence in education. In its last round of unrestricted grants, the foundation provided funding to expand a chess program at Polk Central and start one at Sunny View Elementary schools. A second cycle of 2013 unrestricted and Kessler grants will be awarded in the fall, with applications due Tuesday, June 18 by 1 p.m.

For more information about scholarships, grants or charitable giving options, please contact the Polk County Community Foundation by visiting 255 S. Trade Street in Tryon, calling 828-859-5314, or checking its website, www.polkccf.org.

– article submitted by Noah Wood