BRSEF Project Funding

10-26-18 THRU 05-27-23

Blue Ridge Education Foundation Champions 5-Year Educational Renaissance at Blue Ridge School

From 2018 to 2023, the Blue Ridge Education Foundation (BRSEF) has been a significant supporter of Blue Ridge School's various projects, raising funds to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty alike. The foundation has contributed to a wide array of initiatives, including classroom technology like Promethean ActivPanels, educational materials, library resources, and specialized programs such as the Muddy Sneakers outdoor learning experience. They have also supported field trips, professional development for teachers, and health and wellness needs within the school. Additionally, the BRSEF has provided substantial scholarships for graduating seniors, ensuring that students have the opportunity to pursue further education. Through their generous funding, BRSEF has played a crucial role in fostering a dynamic and supportive learning environment at Blue Ridge School.

Project Funding

  • $1,211.19 BRS & EC SCHOOL LIBRARY: Audio and Print Books, Periodicals
    ( 3rd payment of $5,000 Grant approved 10-4-17) Paid: 08-15-18

    $8,132.00 BRS (ELEMENTARY) TWO (2) PROMETHEAN ACTIVPANEL
    ( including mobile stands & activsoundbar) Paid: 07-14-18

    $12,560.73 BREC THREE (3) PROMETHEAN ACTIVPANELS, Paid: 07-14-18
    ( added to the two units funded in the school year 2016-17)

    $12,864.00 BRS & EC TEACHER VISA GIFT DEBIT CARDS FOR CLASSROOM
    EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES. ( 32 teachers @ $400 each )
    Paid: 08-08-18.

    $900.00 BRS & EC RELEASE OF MUSIC DEPARTMENT DIRECTED MONIES TO
    ARTIST IN RESIDENCE. Paid: 09-25-18

    $5,000.00 BRS (ELEMENTARY) LIBRARY BOOKS TO MATCH TEACHING
    CURRICULUM. Paid: 10-07-18

    $5,000.00 SCHOOL LIBRARY AND MEDIA DEPT. FOR TOTAL SCHOOL
    SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING. (Foundation received a $5,000 matching grant from
    The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley 1-30-19)

    $4,800 BRS & EC MUSIC DEPARTMENT FOR VARIOUS CHORUS AND
    INSTRUMENTS REPAIR NEEDS AND PERFORMANCE MUSIC/PROPS.
    ( this was directed to the Foundation for the Music Dept.)

    $806.99 BREC 7th & 8th GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & SOCIAL STUDIES,
    JUNIOR SCHOLASTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ( Ms. Ginny Proffit)

    $685.00 BRS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HEALTH AND PHYSICAL
    EDUCATION CONFERENCE -WINSTON SALEM, NC (3 day) Ms. Ashley Steinel

    $2,000 BRS MUDDY SNEAKERS OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE. 5th & 6th
    Grade Science and Math Classes. Ms. Debbie Houtzer. 10-10-18

    $3,670.00 BRS (6th grade) CHARTER BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR U.S. SPACE
    AND TENNESSEE AQUARIUM EDUCATIONAL LEARNING TRIP. ( 30 students + )
    Teacher: Jennifer McKee. Paid: TBD

    $3,000.00 Funding for the BRS and EC Health and Wellness needs for students as
    directed by the School Nurse, Ms. Rachel Wittekind. ( Foundation Grant from the James
    M. Doss Charitable Foundation.

    $691.80 BRS 4th Grade Students Educational Visit to the Biltmore Estate-Asheville. (30
    students) Completing the novel Study Teacher: Josie Holden.

    $1,063.02 BREC-Middle School. Calculators (10 devices) for Math Classes.
    Teacher: Elijah Reece

    $5,000 BREC CTE-Fire Academy Lion Legend Fire Helmets (20) ($250 ea).
    Teacher: Lee C. Sudia.

    $180.00 BREC-Spanish Classes. Set of novels (10 copies).
    Teacher: Allison H. Hawkins.

    $27.88 BREC- Math Classes. 3-School Smart Ball Bearing Compass ( pack of 12)
    Teacher: Brittany Elkins.

    $1,200 BREC- Agriculture CTE Classes. Two Drones for Agriculture Education.
    Teacher: Nick Pressler. ( On Hold per BREC Principal )

    $920.00 BRS-BOOK BONANZA (7 WEEK READING PROGRAM) {Paid: Visa Debit
    Card)
    Teachers: Jennifer McKee (6th grade) & Principal Teri Walawender.

  • $140.00 BRS-Tuition for 5th grader, McKenzie Woods to WCU’s “ROCKET TO
    CREATIVITY SUMMER CAMP (2019)

    $3,180.00 ACADEMIC BANQUET & SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT AWARDS NIGHT (106)
    THE ORCHARD HARVEST BARN.

    $9,661.64 Fire Protective Gear ( 6 sets Coats-Pants-Suspenders) Fire Academy CTE
    Class for BREC (10-12th Grades) Teacher Chief, Lee C. Sudia. 9-5-19

    $31,500.00 BRSEF 2019 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO GRADUATING STUDENTS AT
    BREC. ESTABLISHED THE DON W. SENTELL ``HONORED STUDENT” AWARD
    . (Ashley Foster, winner)

    $150,000 Pass through Grant from Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation for full time
    School Nurse and Social Worker exclusively for BRS and EC. Funds were
    Assigned to Jackson County Schools to be held in an agreed upon “restrictive
    Account” for payment of the two positions in the 2019-20 school year.
    (9-17-19),

    $1,200 Donation to BRSEF (directed to the Music Department) Hansen Foundation

    $1,000 & Campbell $200 11-13-19

    $2,700 Teachers and Staff Christmas Dinner at the Orchard Restaurant (12/0519)

    $3,750 Charter Bus for 6th Grade Space Camp Trip (4-14-20) 10-3-19
    CANCELLED--MARCH 2020 COVIT-19 REFUNDED

    $2,250 BREC Funding for ACT Prep Training Classes ( 11th graders ). Principal Metz
    11-13-19

    $1,500 BREC Health Coverage for School Nurse Supplies. ( Funded for the Doss
    Foundation Balance) 11-7-19

    $15,860 BREC-Middle School Educational Trip ( Transportation Cost for two Charter
    Buses. 11-7-19 (POSTPONED--MARCH 2020 COVIT-19)
    REFUNDED--SEPT. 2020

    $8,463 BREC-Senior Trip Charter Transportation ( April 2020)11-7-19
    (CANCELLED--MARCH 2020 COVIT-19
    (REFUNDED 05-27-20)

    $900 BRS/EC Music Department--Artist-in-Residence ( Bryan Heller) Matching funds
    Jackson County Arts Council. 10-8-19

    $1,100 Professional Development Trip for PE Teacher Ashley Steinel for attending a 3
    Day Health and Physical Education Conference ( Winston Salem, NC) 10-3-19

    $2,000 Funding for Muddy Sneakers Program. Deborah Houtzer. 5th Grade Teacher
    (2019-20 school year). 10-3-19

  • $1,000 Summer Reading Books for Pre-k - 6th, “GIVE 5, READ 5” Program
    Cindy Fowler--BRSEF Member & Volunteer. 01-09-20

    $5,500 Media Center Library Books & Magazines- BRS, Linda Potter, Media Specialist
    01-06-20 (Follow on the Oct. 2018 Foundation Approval).

    $2,900 Active Panel 75” + Panel Cart. BRS 2nd grade classroom to replace
    Promethean Board. Teacher K. Hunter/Principal Walawender. 01-10-20

    $250 BRS 2nd Grade Annual Pollinator ( Balsam Mountain Trust “Adopt-a-School”
    Monarch and Pollinator. Teacher: Krutal Hunter ( Church of the Good Shepherd
    Funded $750 of the cost.

    $3,000 BREC -- STEAM NIGHT FUNDING, for BRS Students PrK-8 grades, Hosted by
    the High School Science Classes. Principal Dr.Tracie Metz. (02-13-20) Due to
    COVID-19 Funds will be used in Fall of 2020 School Year.

    $2,500 BREC-- School Promotional Supplies for Marketing the BRS & EC Brand to the
    Students, Faculty and Community. Request of: Principal Dr. Tracie Metz.
    (02-13-20)

    $300 BRS--- Cursive Writing Club for Student Contest. Request of: Ms. Laura Plush
    Paid-Tutor and Principal Teri Walawender. (02-13-20)

    $175.00 BRS--3rd Grade Nature Center (Asheville) Field Trip. Teachers, Josie
    Holden & REFUNDED
    Nicole Westwood. (03-05-20).

    $1,500 BREC-- (Benge Pass-through) Social Worker funding. (03-05-20)Ck #519

    $1,500 BRS -- (Benge Pass-through Social Worker Funding. (03-05-20) Ck #518

    $610.00 BRS-- Teri Walawender, Principal Absenteeism/Tardiness Incentive Program
    (03-05-20) REFUNDED

    $2,610.00 BREC-- Tracie Metz, Principal Absenteeism/Tardiness Incentive Prog.
    (03-05-20) TO BE REFUNDED PER DR. METZ

    $1,000.00 CONTRIBUTION MADE TO CEDAR CREEK CLUB ( via Community
    Foundation of Western North Carolina) 04-125-20

    $8,500 BRS- Teri Walawender, Principal 2nd and 3rd Grade Guided
    Reading Materials and Text. (DIRECTED GRANT FOR THIS
    SPECIFIC REQUEST Awarded: 05-27-20

    $2,000 BRS-- (Benge Pass-through) Social Worker Funding per Request
    From Erica Smithdeal COVID-19 05-07-20

    $2,754 BREC- Graduating 12th Grade Seniors ($100 Debit Cards)Due to
    COVID-9 and no Graduation, Honors Dinner, or Prom.
    Dr. Tracie Metz 05-27-20

    $2,538 BREC- Allison Hawkins- Spanish Teacher: Tuition Assistance (2nd
    Semester for Graduate School at Appalachian State Univ.

    $900 BREC/BRS- Music Dept. Matching Funds for Artist-in-Residence.
    (Matched by Jackson County Arts Council)

    $600 BRS - 6th Grade Space Camp directed donation from Will & Becky
    McKee. 2020/21 Trip

    $11,500 BRS/EC- Gift Cards Awarded to Classroom Teachers ($500 ea.)
    For Classroom teaching supplies.
    13 @ EC an 10 @ BRS. 09-03-20

    $900 BRS Instructional Component of iReady Math Program. JCPS
    Purchased the assessment portion and BRS (budget) paid the
    Instructional component. 10-30-20

    $5,795 BRS/EC Faculty & Staff Holiday COVID-19 Thank you Ingles
    Gift Cards ( 61 cards @ $100 ea.). Presented in 12-2020

    $125,110.00 BRS & EC. 2nd Annual Grant from HCHF to fund the salaried
    Positions of a Full Time Nurse and Social Worker ( Danielle
    Rice and Ericka Smithdeal. 2020-21 School Year.

  • $2,050.00 Charter Bus Transportation for BREC Girls Volleyball State
    Tournament. Request from AD Tim Mayse (01-13-21).

    $1,939.95 BRS ℅ Principal Walawender After School Math Tutoring Prog.
    Spring Semester Teaching.

    $526.64 BRS ℅ Media Center Coordinator, 5 Media Document Cameras

    $1,000 BRS ℅ Cindy Fowler
Summer reading “Get 5-Read5” Books
    All students receive books K-6. 05-02-2021

    $30,000 BREC Scholarship Awards (7 Graduating Seniors) 5/20/21
    ($5,000 was a directed contribution from Cedar Creek Club)

    $1,950 BREC Awards Banquet Dinner-- Orchard Restaurant 5-20 21.

    $1,600 BRS/EC Tuition Support for BREC Spanish Teacher, Allison
    Hawkins enrolled in Graduate School at Appalachian State
    06-03-21 for Fall Semester studies.

    $1,540 BREC Outreach Committee of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
    Pass through grant to Music Teacher Sarah Hall for School Stage
    Lighting. 06-21-21.

    $950 BRS/EC Music/Arts Program. Artist-in-Residence for 2021-22
    School Year. Ms. Sarah Hall (Matched with Jackson County
    Arts Council.

    $350 BRS loop Cursive Writing Program--- Teacher: Laura Plush (tutor)
    09-29-21 ( 25 students) Funds for Prizes for Cursive Contest.

    $1,604.95 BREC Fire Academy Boots ( 5 pair) Teacher: Lee Sudia
    Chief: BREC Public Safety/Fire Academy 09-29-21

    $532 BREC Pruser Mini 3D Printer ( Middle School Science Dept.)
    Teacher: Reanna Clare & Principal Pendergast
    09-29-21

    $17,900 BRS/EC Teacher and Staff Appreciative Gift Cards. Certified
    Teachers ( 32 @ $500 ea = $16,000) Non-Certified Staff
    ( 19 @ $100 ea, = $1,900) Classroom supplies, etc.

    $5,000 BRS/EC Music/Drama Program: Awarded/Directed for the Music
    And Drama Program for Cedar Creek Club Donor Advised Fund
    10-01-21

    $1,000 BREC Scholarship Fund for 2022 Graduation Year. Cedar Creek
    Club Donor Advised Fund. Check: O Gordon Cope-Atlanta, Ga.
    10-01-21

    $640.93 BREC Camera Bundle for EC Yearbook Program
    10-28-21 Brandon Pendergast/Kristy McCall (Teacher-
    Sponsor)

    $6,714.00 BRS/EC School Pride Hoodies for students & staff (431)
    Principal Kheri Cowan 11-02-21

    $10,627.25 BRS Seven (7) Prologic Panels (wall mounted)
    Principal Kheri Cowan 12-09-21

  • $2,096.00 BREC. CTE Fire Academy Classes
 4 Sets of Turn-out gear
    (Coats and Pants) Teacher: Lee Sudia ( 2nd semester-2021-22)
    1-11-2022
    ( Chief Sudia to meet with BOD’s on February 3rd for Report
    To justify the need for six additional Turn-out -gear sets).

    $115,240.91 BRS-Start-up funding for 2nd PreK Classroom in 2022-23
    School Year.. Dr. Dana Ayers and Ms, Laura Dills (JCPS)
    1-11-2022

    $288.00 BREC Fly Fishing Club–6 Sets of Fly Tying Kits ($36ea)
    Teacher: Jerry Lanford (History and Club Sponsor. 02/22/22

    $1,000 BRS Summer Book Program
..Cindy Fowler- Volunteer.
    05-04-22

    $3,150 BREC Awards Dinner- Orchard Harvest Barn
    05-12-22 Scholarship Awards for 2022.

    $2,000 BREC Costa Rica Summer Expedition Learning Trip.
    Allison Hawkins, Spanish Teacher. (payment: 3 $500 gift
    Debit cards + $500 Cash) 05-24-22

    $1,000 BRS/EC School Nurse, Danielle Rice requested supplies
    necessary for her office. (Funds were a pass-thru from Ross
    Donations on the Foundation Books. 05-18-22

    $25,000 BREC Scholarships ( $5,000 ea.) Awards Banquet. 05-2022

    $300.00 BRS Summer School performance awards, Request: Zachary
    Eden, Principal, and Vision Cashiers- Education Task Force
    (06-09-22)

    $4,683.00 Church of The Good Shepherd (pass-thru donation) to BRS
    Flexible Classroom Furniture Request: Zachary Eden,
    Assistant Principal 07-01=22.

    $3,433.62 BOBCAT PRIDE Fence covering of campus water treatment
    plant
.Jake Buchanan Dep. Supt. 07=08-22

    $3,957.02 BOBCAT PRIDE T-SHIRTS FOR BREC. Dr. Nathan Frizell,
    Principal Request. 07-27-22

    $ 950.00 BRS/EC ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: Teacher: Sarah Hall
    Matching with Jackson County Arts Council
    09-01-22

    $18,200.00 Certified and NonCertifier Teachers & Staff BRS/EC
    Appreciation Awards. 22 @ $100 = $2,200, 32@ $500

    $16,000 ( Certified Teachers) 09-29-22

    $13,590.66 BRS/EC Active Panels (6) request from JCPS Supt.
    Dr. Dana Ayers. ( Replacement Panels for updated
    Technology)

    $2,944.00 BRS & EC Holiday Dinner for Teachers/Staff ( 92)
    Hosted by BRSEF & The ORCHARD RESTAURANT
    12-15-2022

  • $8,000.00 BRS (6th Grade) Space Camp/Aquarium Transportation
    01-07-2023 Paid

    $7,000.00 BREC (8th Grade) Charleston, SC (23 Students)
    Transportation 01-07-23 Paid

    $11,000.00 BREC Senior Trip Disney World (15 Students)
    Transportation 01-07-23 Paid

    $12,000.00 BREC Senior Trip and 8th Grade Additional Funding
    For both Spring ‘23 Field Trips supporting social
    Studies studies curriculum, career exploration, and
    And business models

.. In addition to experiences
    In Horticulture and Geography. Promotes BRS/EC and
    Enhances recruitment of both students, staff, & faculty.
    3-27-23

    $2,700.00 BREC Music Department ( Ms. Sarah Hall -Teacher_
    Directed Donations to Music Dept. ( $2,500 from Cedar
    Creek Club
. + $200.00 from Individual Donor

    $2,500.00 BRS PreK Playground Upgrades ( Principal Cowan)
    “Directed Donation from Cedar Creek Club - 2022)

    $1,300,00 BRS Media Center Books (Principal Cowan & Heather
    Green, Media Center Teacher/Admin.

    $30,000 BREC SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET ( 05-11-23) Three (3)
    Applications: Includes $5,000 CCC Scholarship directed
    Grant to BRSEF for Applicant Selection: Mahalah Stewart.

Your support can help us continue this incredible journey of educational excellence. Join us in making a lasting impact on the students and faculty at Blue Ridge School. Click DONATE NOW to contribute to the ongoing mission of the Blue Ridge Education Foundation. Together, we can create a brighter future!