ROISD RECEIVES $14,000 IN CAMPUS GRANTS

RED OAK – Local ExxonMobil Victron Energy is providing $14,000 in grants to Red Oak Independent School District Campuses this year.

Victron Energy has provided grants to Red Oak ISD campuses since 2011 through the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program.

This year each of the seven schools in the district received $2,000 to use for the math and science enrichment programs.

“We have used our Victron grant to purchase materials for science experiments and math manipulatives,” said Principal Michelle Owens, Eastridge Elementary.

“With the use of these funds, we are able to make learning more hands-on for our students, which help students gain a better understanding of math and science concepts. Thanks, ExxonMobil and Victron Energy for the support!”

As an ExxonMobil retailer, Victron Energy President and COO Walid Alameddine works with school officials to submit the funds on behalf of the campuses.

The Educational Alliance Program, funded by the ExxonMobil Corporation, is designed to provide retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.

The grants over the years have not only been used to purchase materials, but Red Oak Elementary Principal Megan Corns said over the past several years, the ExxonMobil grants have helped her school grow a STEAM studio.

“This year, we plan to add on to our MakerSpace in the Learning Commons so more students can have hands-on experiences,” Corns added.

Ginger Kelley, Victron Energy assistant vice president, presented the checks to the district at the June 18 school board meeting.

Exxon and Mobil are hoping to fuel young minds and help create “aha” moments through the Educational Alliance.

Since its inception, the company has committed more than $34 million to 4,400 schools in its national program.

The program funds overall, math and science programs at schools in need. It is part of an ongoing effort to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education within the communities serve.

“Through our partnership with the Educational Alliance, we help give students the tools and technology they need to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they see in the real world,” Alameddine said.

Victron operates an ExxonMobil retail store in north Waxahachie.

“We are very thankful for the partnership with Victron Energy,” said Beth Trimble, executive director of communications at Red Oak ISD. “These funds help our students with hands-on activities and support the district curriculum in math and science. As always, we value our community partnerships and their support of Red Oak ISD students.”