Projects in the arts, reading, and physical fitness at South Kingstown elementary schools and one involving the practical application of a chemistry theory at South Kingstown High School have earned the support of the South Kingstown Education Foundation (SKEF), which awarded the projects a total of $2,962 through a permanent endowment SKEF established at The Rhode Island Foundation three years ago.

The endowment was established to support educational projects and activities that inspire student excellence and strengthen the relationship between the public schools and the community.  It now is valued at $75,000, thanks to the generous support of many area residents and a $25,000 matching grant from The Rhode Island Foundation.

SKEF grants awarded through The Rhode Island Foundation for the 2006-07 academic year will benefit students in all four elementary schools in the district, as well as at South Kingstown High School. 

Funded projects are:

• Fitness Trail Project at Matunuck Elementary School, $1,000, for a balance beam and ground cover to enhance the existing fitness trail for all students and the community.
• Mock Caldecott Unit at Matunuck and Wakefield Elementary Schools, $640, to purchase art supplies and picture books for second grade students to host their own competition for the best illustrated book.
• Battle of Books Listening Library at all four elementary schools, $560, to purchase books, tapes, and a cassette player to encourage fourth grade students to increase their reading, either through traditional books or books on tape.
• Artists Among Us Project at all four elementary schools, $500, to purchase art supplies to enable West Kingston-based Courthouse Center for the Arts to provide third grade students with opportunities to explore the visual arts.
• Optical Brighteners and Water Quality Project at South Kingstown High School, $262, to purchase materials needed for chemistry students to conduct local water quality testing as part of the applied science curriculum.

Persons desiring additional information on SKEF should contact Lois Hamblet at 284-1999, or Owen Heleen, director of special funds at The Rhode Island Foundation, at 274-4564.  Contributions to SKEF can be made by check, payable to The Rhode Island Foundation and mailed to One Union Station, Providence, RI  02903.  Questions concerning tax-deductible gifts of stock or mutual funds, as well as planned gifts, should be directed to Heleen.