Kruse Elementary received a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries that will be used to purchase new library books for all grade levels and to expand their library book collection.

“This grant will make sure more children have access to books and it also ensures more children enjoy the lifelong benefits of reading,” said Rosie Prusz, Kruse Elementary principal.

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries was founded in 2002 as a fund of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. Since its inception, the Laura Bush Foundation has awarded over $3 million to 634 schools in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The mission of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries is to support the education of the nation’s children by providing funds to update, extend and diversify the book and print collections of America’s school libraries.

In other grant news, Pasadena ISD has been able to secure grant funding for several other initiatives that include:

Project Access grant
The Summit was awarded $46,775 from the Governors Office to fund Project Access during the 2006-2007 school year. Project Access will provide psychiatric evaluations and follow-up services for 50 students identified as being at risk for mental health problems. The grant will allow the Summit to contract with local psychiatrists to provide these services.

Investment Capital Fund grant
Parks and Richey Elementary and Park View Intermediate have been awarded Investment Capital Fund grants through the Texas Education Agency. The grant funds in the amount of $147,146 will allow all three schools to provide professional staff development, after school programs of academic enrichment for students, and supportive classes for parents during the 2007-2008 school year.