TAMAQUA BLUE RAIDER FOUNDATION HOLDS TEACHER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The Tamaqua Blue Raider Foundation (TBRF) held their annual Teacher Recognition Program on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Vonz Restaurant in Tamaqua. Over the past five and a half years, the foundation has raised over $100,000 towards teacher/student projects in the school district, to include funding for guest speakers, teacher grants, Penn State Agriculture Lab visits, three elementary libraries, Summer Learning Camp Programs, visiting artists, AP courses and others.

Tamaqua Elementary School teachers Dylan Peters and Angela Faust present their educational technology, which utilizes blended learning and augmented relationships.

During the event, a number of teachers showcased special programs that were funded via the foundation. In addition to providing learning opportunities for students, the TBRF rewards the creation of new and educational ideas through the Grants for Teachers Program. Grants up to $1,000 are awarded annually to Tamaqua Area School District teachers to enable unique strategies to become a reality.
Last year, numerous grants were awarded for the following teacher driven projects. They were Learning With Egos, Simple Machines; Family Math Night for 2nd Graders; Story Stones; Geocaching for Gifted Students; Tamaqua Blue & White Magazine; School Community Garden; and Therapeutic Social Language Expansion for Students with Exceptionalities.
BRF President Robert A. Miller III stated the foundation’s appreciation to a number of sponsors, to include Mauch Chunk Trust Company, Bowe Lisella & Bowe Attorneys, Sky-View Memorial Park Inc., and Companion Animal Hospital of Tamaqua.

Tamaqua third-graders, from left, Jesse Gormley, Nicholas Hydro, August DiCarlo and Delia Coggiano demonstrated their skills in building simple machines using Lego pieces. Also pictured are their teachers Zac Evans and Jolene Barron.

“We would not be able to successfully conduct this event without the support of the Tamaqua Area School District,” added Miller. Miller also stated the foundation’s appreciation to Susan Featro for her Holiday Concert Fundraiser and volunteers with the Annual Color Fun Run.
Acknowledging the foundation’s relationship between Penn State Hazleton Campus and the Tamaqua school system, Miller said, “This alliance has enabled our students to participate in Learning Summer Camp Programs, earn college credits while in high school, and (at a high school level) interact with Penn State Hazleton students on projects. Students exposure to these and other programs being developed provide our students with an additional edge the will need to succeed.”
The Joe Plasko Memorial Fund award was given to Trevor Skripko and Brianna Wittig.
TBRF is a not-for profit, 501(c)3 organization that was established in the Spring of 2010 to assist the Tamaqua Area School District in funding projects that are outside of the school district’s operational budget. Acting autonomously from the school district, the Foundation enlists individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations in charitable resource raising activities to directly assist Tamaqua area students in achieving their maximum potential.

: Pictured are TBRF Vice President Walter E. Kruczek, left, and President Robert A. Miller III.

Information on the foundation’s website reads, “Our Board works directly with school administrators to identify educational projects, determine that they are of non-budgetary status, and proceeds to raise necessary funding.”
Members of the board consist of Robert A. Miller III, President; Walter E. Kruczek, Vice President; Jeffrey P. Bowe, Esq., Secretary; Eric S. Zizelmann, Treasurer; Stephanie A. Akins, Member at Large; State Representative Jerry Knowles, Member at Large; Deborah C. Yuskauskas, Member at Large; Dr. Kathryn E. Kropp, Member at Large; Dana McDonald; Stephanie Akins; and Johanna L. Ulincy, Executive Director.

Also presented during the program was the Karen Mateyak Memorial Fund. From left are Christopher Chinnice, John Mateyak, and Rachael Keich.

The website adds that the foundation:

• Administered a teacher grant program that gives teachers at all of our district schools the opportunity to complement the educational experience in their classrooms.
• Funded the purchase of I-pads for use in the Tamaqua Area High School library.
• Administer the Joseph M. Plasko Scholar-Athlete Fund that is annually awarded at the Tamaqua Area High School Student Achievement Dinner.
• Participated in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program whereby corporations reduced their tax liability by making donations to foundation projects.
•We are coordinating the publishing of the Tamaqua Area School District Alumni Directory.

“Our fund raising solely depends on you – the community,” said Miller. To donate, visit the foundation website at http://www.tamaquablueraiderfdn.org/donate.htm, calling 570-668-1241, or mailing donations to “The Tamaqua Blue Raider Foundation“, 109 West Broad Street, Tamaqua PA 18252.

The foundation can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TamaquaBlueRaiderFoundation.

Click HERE to view a Times News story about the event.

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