Accompanied by the RHS drumline, cheerleaders, drill team and Rocky the Tiger, Foundation members traveled campus-to-campus delivering grant awards directly to teachers and students. The celebration highlighted innovative programs and classroom projects designed to create new opportunities for students across the district.

Funded through the generosity of community donors and sponsors, the grants support creative ideas that enhance learning experiences, strengthen student engagement and provide additional resources for classrooms and programs throughout Rockdale ISD. Since its founding in 2022, the Rockdale ISD Education Foundation has awarded more than $85,000 in grants benefiting students, teachers and campuses districtwide.

“These grants are integral to expanding resources and classroom capabilities for our teachers,” said Ward Roddam. “To know that we have raised and awarded more than $85,000 in grants in just four years is pretty remarkable, and we are grateful to be able to support our schools in this way. Our teachers continue to bring forward creative ideas that make a real impact for students, and our community continues to step up to help make those ideas possible.”

This year’s funded grants included projects focused on student leadership, athletics, fine arts, literacy, math achievement, sensory support and career-based learning opportunities. Programs awarded this year included Special Olympics Team Support; Racquet Ready: Expanding Lifetime Sports through Pickleball, Tennis & Badminton; Repair & Refurbish UIL Set Unit Flats; Tiger Camp 2.0: Earn Your Stripes – Building Tradition Through Student Leadership; Tiger Paws Dog Spa; Patches with Purpose 2.0: Expanding into Academic Success; Regulated Readers: Bridging Sensory Needs and Literacy Success; 6th Grade Tiger Camp & TIGER PRIDE Swag Initiative; Emotional Regulation Zone: Supporting Student Success through Self-Regulation; Lighting Board for JH Theater; Powering Math Achievement; and Thinking on Your Feet: Collaborative Math.

The Rockdale ISD Education Foundation expressed appreciation to all educators who submitted grant proposals this year and congratulated the recipients whose projects were selected for funding.

Community members interested in supporting the Foundation and future classroom grants can learn more or donate by visiting www.rockdaleisd.net/community/foundation.