​On Friday, October 18th, the Bandera Education Foundation members excitedly boarded a bus on a mission to surprise teachers with almost  $50,000 in grant funds . At every school, we were led in by our amazing drum line. The energy was electric, and all of the students and teachers were peeking out their doors, quickly lining the halls.
The first stop was Alkek Elementary, where five grants were given to the library, second grade, and the GT program! Students stood, watching the procession, arms outreached for high fives and fist bumps. The second stop was Bandera Middle School, where we gave out six grants to the Ag department, the GT program, the theater department, math, and science. This stop included our biggest grant to date of $10,000, helping the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) start their funding for next year’s NASA project! We also fully funded a new eSports program, allowing our students even more opportunities in their future. Now a billion-dollar industry, eSports is offering more college scholarships than ever before. We are very excited about this new program!
 
After leaving the middle school, we made the drive to Hill Country Elementary and awarded nine grants to a multitude of teachers, helping with reading, math, music, science, and more! Principal Klein had the teachers and students ready and excited as they lined the halls before we walked in, ready for the Prize Posse's arrival! The teachers were enthusiastic and so grateful! The final stop was Bandera High School, where our final two grants were presented to the science department and the Ag department. Mr. Derry allowed his students some creativity with the grants. This particular grant paired with the middle school and was researched and written by two high school students, then reviewed and approved by Mr. Derry for submission. This is just another example of our amazing student’s determination and innovation!
 
We ended the day with the drumline marching us out of the high school, leaving us all wishing that they could follow us around daily with their amazing energy! The one thing that was crystal clear by the end of the day was the fact that the rumors are true about our amazing small-town: people DO win in Bandera!
 
Thank you so much to all of our donors for your constant support! We could not continue to support our teachers and staff without you!  

On Wednesday, September 19th, the BISD Education Foundation hosted our Annual Lead Donor Breakfast at the Mayan Dude Ranch. This breakfast serves as a great way to showcase what funds for previous grants have gone towards, while getting to thank our donors. After mingling for a bit, breakfast was served and three grants from the past were showcased. An outdoor classroom was funded recently and, with the help of Mrs. Groff, students and teachers were video conferenced in. Several students performed poems for the guests, as a way to show how the outdoor classroom has transformed the learning experience at the high school. Additionally, two students from the high school came and gave a brief presentation with their experience with the Bulldog Coffee Cart.
 
Finally, the librarian from Alkek Elementary, Mrs. Gherman, brought some helpers with her to show off several pairs of virtual reality goggles, another previous grant. The goggles were pre-set with various locations to visit and the donors, board, and administrators who were present were able to take virtual tours of locations, such as the Galapagos Islands, and they were able to swim with sea creatures. These goggles allow for students to travel to places they may never get to experience and have interactive features that teach about the various sites within.
 
Following the presentations and breakfast, several of our lead donors were recognized and honored for their contributions and longevity of donating. Without these donors, we wouldn’t be able to fund these innovative grants, thus inhibiting Bandera ISD from growing more and more successful each year!
 
Thank you to the Mayan Dude Ranch for hosting such a wonderful breakfast (and, as always, excellent bacon!!).​

And a huge thank you to all of our donors who gave during the 2019 donor drive!!! 
We could not fulfill our mission without you!
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William & Jackie Bringhurst 
Dan or Arlene Butts
Ron & Cynthia Caloss
Lia Cloudt - Millie & Marie and Heart 2
Anthony Ferragamo 
Jean & David Heep
Jay & Karen Hoskelis
Dennis F. Juren
Tracy Konvicka 
Larry & Shanna Lindner
Mr. & Mrs. John Edward Ryan
Barbara & George Sharman
Steve & Barbara Skipper
Ray & Susan D'Spain
Homer & Kathy Stevens
Sully & Cynthia Woodland
Jerry & Opal Word
Bandera Title Company
Boyle's Hardware / Johnny Boyle 
Buddy's Septic & Water Well Service LLC
D'Spain Sales and Service
Hill Country Veterinary Hospital
Hondo National Bank
Hyo Silver
Mini Mart
Propane Depot
Sandy Snow and Associates, Inc.
South Texas Contracting- STC Custom Homes Frank & 
Southwest Foods
Texas Hill Country Bank 
Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Russo, & Kyle, Attorney at Law 
Wells Fargo
Western Title Co. of Bandera 
Widner Electric
Winters Electric
***And all of our silent donors***
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