COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 21

July 5, 2005

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE/SECONDARY

TO:	Principals
FROM:	Linda M. Wallinger Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
SUBJECT:	Kids In Need Teacher Grants Program

The School, Home, and Office Products Association (SHOPA) Kids In Need Foundation and Office Depot will award thousands of dollars to teachers who wish to inspire students with original and stimulating classroom projects during the 2005-06 school year. Through the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program, Office Depot and Kids In Need are offering teachers the opportunity to engage students in unique learning experiences. The Kids In Need Foundations mission is to recognize, promote, and support initiatives that foster educational excellence.

Applications will be available at all Office Depot locations and online at http://www.kidsinneed.net after July 15, 2005. All K-12 certified teachers of any subject area working in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Projects must be completed by the end of the academic year, 2006. More than $105,000 is being offered in grants ranging from $100 to $500 for innovative classroom projects. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2005 and grant winners will be notified by December 1, 2005.

If you need additional information, please contact Betsy S. Barton (Betsy.Barton@doe.virginia.gov), history and social science specialist, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, at (804) 225-3454.

LMW/BB