Tzouanakis, Central, Fillmore receive Allison Trust grants

Presenting 2018-19 Project Fund grants to Fillmore and Central elementary schools are (front, from left) Mary Allison Children’s Trust board members Ginger Scott, treasurer; Robi Sims, South Putnam Schools counselor; and Donna Houser, secretary. In back (from left) are Jim Jackson, board president, and Todd Gowen, Central Elementary principal. Not pictured is Debby Steffy, Fillmore Elementary principal.

Courtesy photo

Beginning in the fall of 2016 the Mary Allison Children’s Trust Board of Directors began a projects program. Each semester the applications are distributed to the elementary schools to present a project to the Projects Committee.

For the fall of 2018 recipients of the Projects Fund are Tzounankis Intermediate, Central Elementary and Fillmore Elementary.

The projects covered the purchase of materials for Calming Sensory Boxes. The boxes contain stress balls, coloring books, charts, flash cards, kinetic sand, fidget widgets, stretch bands and other helpful tools to assist an anxious or active child be able to continue to stay in the classroom and become calm in just a short period of time.

Meanwhile Tzounankis Intermediate School counselor Jamey Landry (second from left), accepts a 2018-19 Project Fund grant from Mary Allison Children’s Trust board members Joe Ferguson, Ginger Scott and board President Jim Jackson.

Courtesy photo

Robi Sims of South Putnam School Corporation notes that “without these calming boxes, the teacher would have to remove students from the classroom as not to disturb the other students.”

Jamey Landry of Tzouanakis Intermediate added, “It is amazing how just five minutes with the items in the box will calm a student and help them focus on their school work.”

Jim Jackson, president of the Mary Allison Children’s Trust, stated “it is very heartwarming to know that the Mary’s legacy continues on for the children of Putnam County.”

Applications for the 2018-19 second semester have been distributed to the schools and application deadline is Feb. 15.

Elementary schools are the board’s primary focus, however, middle schools and high schools are also welcome to apply for project funding. Applications may be obtained by calling 655-2333 or emailing gscott@wabashcapital.com.