United Way of Acadiana awards more than $64,000 to Lafayette Parish schools

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– More than $64,000 will be distributed to 15 classrooms or school projects in the Lafayette Parish School System.

United Way of Acadiana announced its 2023-2024 Education Innovation Grant
recipients, who were all chosen through an application process. After passing out funds, it will total to an investment of $64,589 into these schools.

Those awarded Education Innovation Grants include:

This Mustang Is No Joke – W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center
Breathe and Move at Woodvale – Woodvale Elementary School
Breathe and Move at Burke – Charles M. Burke Elementary School
Reading Rams: A School-Wide Approach to Improving Literacy – Edgar Martin Middle School
The American Dream Starts Here – Lafayette Middle School
Pelican Book Vending Machine – L. Leo Judice Elementary
Show Your Work! – Carencro Bob Lilly Elementary
The Art of Abstraction – Edgar Martin Middle School Gifted Enrichment Program
Evangeline French Festival – Evangeline Elementary School
Reading Rocks in Kindergarten! – Woodvale Elementary
Promoting Mindfulness through Picture Books and Art – Carencro High School Library
SWAMPS (Sharing Wetlands, Art, Mentorship, & Phenomenon with Students) – Charles M. Burke Elementary
Butterfly Gardens and School Beautification Project – Northside High School
Spring Musical Set Design and Construction – Southside High School
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) and Literacy – A Path to a New Curriculum – Milton Elementary/Middle School

Even after merging with the Lafayette Education Foundation in 2021, United Way of Acadiana continues to work towards awarding school grants in an effort to offer teachers support and motivate students to succeed academically while completing their levels of schooling.

“We are thrilled to support these teachers and their classrooms in their mission to create engaging, innovative, and inclusive learning environments,” UWA Director of Impact Micah Nicholas said. “We recognize the vital role teachers play in shaping the minds and futures of students. This grant aims to empower educators by providing them with the necessary resources, tools, and opportunities to elevate their teaching practices and enhance the overall classroom experience.”