Local Teachers Receive Classroom Grants

Three $200 grants were awarded recently to several local teachers.  These funds will enable them to purchase supplies that will enhance their classroom instruction.       

Classroom Grant Applications were distributed to each of the four county public school districts (Silex, Elsberry, Troy and Winfield) and were open to those teaching Pre-K through 12^th grade.  Teachers were asked to describe their class and how the funds would be used.  Applications were submitted by teachers from three of the four districts.

Heather Bauer, K-12 Art Teacher at Silex, plans to use her funds to help pay for supplies to hook up new technology in her classroom.

Katie Maixner, ‘Class within a Class’ teacher at the Troy Ninth Grade Center, Troy, will use her funds to purchase Interactive Notebook resources to enhance the learning for her Algebra 1 students.

Heather Dahm, Fourth Grade Teacher at Winfield Intermediate, will be using her funds to build her classroom environment with resources for reading and math.  A first year teacher, Heather would like to create a learning environment where her students are excited to come each day.

The Lincoln County Area School Personnel make these Classroom Grants available each year to our four local school districts.  Members feel it is a great way to thank our local teachers for encouraging a new generation of lifelong learners.

LCARSP Craft Group Makes Flannel Blankets

Tuesday, March 1st was a cold and cloudy day outside but inside, eight LCARSP members met and made warm flannel receiving blankets for the local crisis nursery.

After a quick tutorial and lots of 'encouraging coaching,' the group got busy cutting fabric,

ironing and pinning,

and sewing.

Many hands made light work and within just a few hours, the group had over a half dozen blankets completed. 

Around noon, everyone took a break for a DELICIOUS lunch!

Since so much fabric was donated, the group decided to work on more of these 

self-binding blankets at the April 5th get-together.  

If you are interested in joining us, be watching for an email letting you know the specifics. 

When enough blankets are finished, they will be delivered to the local St. Louis Crisis Nursery.  We hope to also take a tour of the facility.

If you are interested in how these these cute blankets are made, here is a link to a youtube video showing the process.

(It will probably take you longer than the 10 minutes Jennie says!)

Region 13 Was Well Represented at Legislative Days

Wednesday, February 17th, twelve members of the Lincoln County Area Retired School Personnel traveled with other Region 13 members to the capitol in Jefferson City to meet with our state legislators.
             
Legislative Day has become an annual event for MRTA to show legislators that our group's numbers are large and our dedication is strong.  Members are encouraged to wear red and this year more than 1,000 MRTA members flooded the capitol with a SEA of red!  Alyse Stoll, MRTF Board Member from Raytown, said  "That 1,000 number makes an impressive note for the legislators as well as an eye-opener for first time attendees!" 

The morning's event began with a meeting in the Rotunda.  Several dignitaries, including a couple of legislators and our own MRTA Executive Jim Kreider, welcomed everyone.  

Stoll goes on to describe the rest of the morning's activities.  "With packets of materials to discuss with the legislators concerning protecting the benefits of its retirees from legislation that would be detrimental to our Public School Retirement System and retirees’ pension to asking for full funding of the state’s Foundation Formula. The attendees are in the hallways, elevators jammed, up the stairs, down the stairs (that’s sets of 15,15,15 stairs – whew!) making our way between like-crowds in our moment of connecting with our legislators. At lunch time, the “sea of red” was generating to the third floor to join the legislators for lunch. All tables were overflowing with pertinent conversations, becoming acquainted with fellow members throughout the state and ardent discussions of success in promoting MRTA goals.

Several of our LCARSP members were able to have their picture taken on the floor of the Senate!   The Senate was in session all night, finally adjourning at 6:00 a.m. the morning of our visit. 

MRTA Legislative Day is an annual event taking place each February.  Make plans now to attend this fun and interactive event next year!