Paris, Tenn.–There were ooh’s and aah’s from the first grade students and teachers at Rhea School Wednesday as the PLUS representatives came to school carrying a BIG check for $5,000.
The check is for this year’s MEGA Grant awarded by the PLUS program, which will finance construction of a greenhouse at Rhea School. Grant writer was First Grade Teacher Angela Binkley, who envisions the greenhouse as a spot for first graders to learn but that the whole school can use.
Other PLUS grants totalling thousands of dollars were awarded in October at a dessert reception held at First Baptist Church. PLUS Endowment was started in 1999 by former Henry County Schools Director William Atchison and provides grants to teachers in both the county schools and Paris Special Schools programs for innovative projects for students.
No one from the Rhea first grade was present at the banquet and PLUS officials decided to surprise them for the check presentation.
Binkley accepted the check on behalf of the Rhea first grade teachers and students. On hand for the check presentation from PLUS were Board Members Kim Foster, Heather Stone and Stacy Hayes.
Photo: Rhea Principal Chris Hudgins and First Grade Teacher Angela Binkley with the big $5,000 check from the PLUS program. (Photo by Stacy Hayes).