ECISD Education Foundation Awards More Than $11,000 in Grants

The East Chambers ISD Education Foundation is proud to award eight grants totaling $11,434.39 to support creative learning opportunities, student wellness, literacy, and meaningful educational experiences across the district.

The funded projects include:

Sensational Centers – $1,154.99

The Sensational Centers grant will provide new materials for the play-based learning center at East Chambers Primary. Pre-K students visit the center several times each week to participate in activities that support fine-motor development, social-emotional learning, creativity, communication, and academic growth. New building materials, dramatic-play sets, sensory activities, and reading furniture will give students even more opportunities to learn through exploration and imaginative play.

Putt, Learn, and Grow – $900.15

Putt, Learn, and Grow: Building Real-World Skills Through Miniature Golf will take high school Resource students beyond the classroom for a structured, hands-on learning experience. While playing miniature golf, students will practice counting strokes, recording and comparing scores, reading directions, taking turns, communicating appropriately, managing emotions, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Classroom activities before and after the trip will help students prepare for the experience, measure their progress, and reflect on the academic, social, and independent-living skills they used.

Old MacDonald’s Farm – $1,536

Kindergarten students will enjoy a hands-on educational experience at Old MacDonald’s Farm, where they will observe and interact with farm animals while learning about animal needs, habitats, agriculture, and the origins of food and other farm products. The trip will connect directly to classroom instruction in science, social studies, math, and reading language arts. Students will also practice following directions, taking turns, cooperating with classmates, and demonstrating appropriate behavior in a community setting.

Print, Practice, Regulate – $1,300

The Print, Practice, Regulate: 3D Tools for Social-Emotional Learning grant will bring a 3D printer and supplies to East Chambers Primary. The equipment will be used to create customized calming tools, visual choice boards, emotion wheels, focus supports, educational games, behavior incentives, and other reusable resources for classrooms and counseling activities. Students will also have opportunities to suggest and help design projects, encouraging creativity, responsibility, teamwork, problem-solving, and ownership of their learning.

Read to Lead – $1,498.50

The Read to Lead initiative will create a structured literacy program for seventh- and eighth-grade students participating in girls athletics at East Chambers Junior High. During the Buccaneer Boost enrichment period, students will read high-interest novels featuring themes such as perseverance, teamwork, resilience, leadership, relationships, and overcoming adversity. Coaches will lead discussions, monitor reading progress, and use comprehension checks and assessments to help students strengthen their reading stamina, vocabulary, critical-thinking skills, and overall comprehension.

Renewal Jogging Club – $479.75

The Renewal Jogging Club grant will continue the program at East Chambers Elementary and expand it to East Chambers Junior High. Students will use individual QR codes and the EZScan system to track the laps and miles they complete during physical education, designated jogging periods, recess opportunities, and special activities such as the Turkey Trot. Students will set personal goals, monitor their progress, and earn Toe Tokens as they reach new mileage milestones. The program is designed to encourage physical activity, build endurance, and establish healthy habits that can continue throughout students’ lives.

Santa’s Little Helpers – $2,240

Fifth-grade students will travel to the Lutcher Theater to attend a live performance of Santa’s Little Helpers. Through this experience, students will see how actors, costumes, scenery, lighting, and props work together to bring a story to life. The performance will reinforce classroom lessons involving drama vocabulary, plot development, character traits, inferencing, and drawing conclusions while also helping students develop a greater appreciation for the performing arts.

United by the House – $2,325

The United by the House grant will help provide House shirts for students and staff at East Chambers Junior High. The ECJH House System encourages students to build relationships, make positive choices, take ownership of their behavior and academic success, and feel connected to their campus. The shirts will serve as a visible symbol of belonging, unity, and House pride while helping strengthen participation, enthusiasm, and school spirit throughout the campus. ECJH student House leaders also took an active role in the project by visiting local businesses and raising $1,000 toward the cost of the shirts.

Community Support Makes It Possible

Funding for these grants is made possible in part through proceeds from the Foundation’s annual gun raffle. Each $100 ticket is entered in 52 weekly drawings and eight additional drawings, and each ticket may win more than once. The first weekly drawing for the 2026–27 raffle will be held on November 5, 2026. For additional details, visit our website at www.ecisdef.com/raffle.

Every raffle ticket purchased and every contribution received helps the Foundation invest directly in East Chambers students and educators. We are grateful to our raffle supporters, donors, sponsors, and community partners whose generosity transforms educators’ ideas into meaningful opportunities for our Buccaneers. 💚💛🏴‍☠️