FEF Awards More Than $234,000 In Grants To FISD Teachers In Virtual SurPrize Patrol

The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation (FEF) wrapped up its annual Adopt-A-Grant Campaign on Friday, Apr. 3 with a record-breaking SurPrize Patrol that awarded more than $234,000 in grants to FISD teachers. 

Traditionally, FEF closes out the year by awarding grants to FISD teachers in a pep rally-style celebration on each campus. However, this year, due to the District’s closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation had to get creative.

“Our teachers truly dreamed big this year to bring innovative and engaging learning opportunities to their classrooms,” FEF Board President Kelly Lovell said. “And, as we’ve all seen over the last few weeks, outside their classrooms as well.” 

“While we were very disappointed we could not celebrate our teachers in person, we were so excited to bring the SurPrize Patrol celebration to them,” FEF Executive Director Ashley Adair said. 

FEF released one video per campus throughout the morning as the entire community “loaded up” for the fun on the Virtual SurPrize Patrol bus. The videos quickly flooded social media with a surge of joy and energy that was much needed.

Cline Elementary Assistant Principal Julianne McCarty shared that the creativity and ingenuity that went into the presentation was nothing short of magical. 

“The workday at home was brightened so much for so many because of FEF,” McCarty said.

Parents, community members and teachers followed along cheering on grant recipients.

“This year’s record-breaking campaign would not have been possible without our outstanding Board of Directors and generous community,” FEF Grant Committee Chair Niki Rhodes said.

The Virtual SurPrize Patrol served as the perfect way to kickoff FEF’s #WeAreMighty campaign, a movement launched with FISD to rally the Friendswood community together around an anthem of hope similar to #FriendswoodStrong in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Catch up on FEF’s Virtual SurPrize Patrol fun by watching the videos on the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation Facebook Page or Friendswood ISD’s YouTube Channel.