Cox Charities Benefit Edmond Schools. Cox Charities Innovation in Education program is transforming the quality of education offered in both public and private schools in Oklahoma. The program provides grants to public and private schools (grades Pre-K through 12) and the dedicated teachers at those schools.
Cox Charities is a charitable giving program, funded and guided by Cox Communications employees, that is committed to strengthening communities through support of programs that positively impact Oklahomans in the areas of education, technology, social issues and the arts.
The aim of the Innovation in Education program is to fund classroom and collaborative educational programs that encourage and promote students’ ingenuity and imagination. Over the last 11 years, the program has awarded more than $1 Million in grants to Oklahoma schools with more than $45,000 invested in Edmond Public Schools.
This year Cox Communications gave grants worth $14,811 in Cox Charities grants to public schools in Edmond district alone. The grant was given to two schools; Washington Irving Elementary receiving $9,811and Heritage Elementary $5,000. Every year, the grant program invites principals, administrators and teachers at eligible schools to submit a grant application for innovative classroom projects that focus on skills-based learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design, and Mathematics), digital literacy, or cyber citizenship (responsibly using the Internet).
Following the above guideline, Washington Irving Elementary will use its grant to fund the creation of an Action Based Learning lab. Considered a ground-breaking teaching method, Action Based Learning labs promote young children’s need to move by incorporating exercise equipment in the classroom. Students in Pre-K through fifth grade will use stationary bicycles, balance boards, swings and ellipticals while practicing math, reading and science concepts.
Heritage Elementary on the other hand, will use its grant to purchase a set of African drums, percussion instruments and music curriculum. Students will learn to drum, sing and move in rhythm. The program not only gives students the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, but also teaches them the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
One awesome feature of this grant program is that teachers or principals at eligible schools can apply for classroom, school-wide or collaborative educational program in any subject area. Grant requests between $1,000 and $5,000 are available for individual classroom grants. Grants exceeding $5,000 must promote student learning and participation through a school-wide or collaborative teaching program that incorporates multiple classrooms, grades or course disciplines, or engages partner schools or districts.
In conclusion, it is imperative that other corporate entities operating around Oklahoma area emulate Cox Communications in supporting the education sector. It is EduMonitor’s view that being a good corporate citizen should be at the heart of any responsibility business entity, and education being the cornerstone of any progressive society should be at the apex of their priorities.