Bonita Bay Group funds learning projects at area schools

Bonita Bay Group awarded more than $62,500 in grants to school projects that will enhance learning opportunities for students throughout Southwest Florida. Nine schools in Lee, Collier and Hendry counties were recipients of the Bonita Bay Group School Grants Program, an initiative that has contributed $630,793 to local schools since 1990.

The 2008-2009 grants were distributed during a breakfast event on Oct. 15 at Shadow Wood County Club, attended by representatives of the schools, community leaders and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, a Cape Coral resident and graduate of the Lee County public school system.

"David Lucas (chairman of Bonita Bay Group) is a true community leader who is determined to leave this place better than when he found it," said Kottkamp. "The Bonita Bay Group School Grants program has made a tremendous difference and says a lot about David's heart and the heart of his company. In spite of these challenging economic times, he continues his commitment to making a difference for our children and to providing them with richer learning opportunities."

The Bonita Bay Group School Grants Program funds innovative education programs not included in school budgets. The grant process is highly competitive, and grants are awarded based on a project's ability to directly affect student learning. In awarding the grants, the company's internal and external selection committees considered the number of students who would participate, plans for implementation, a summary of evaluation methods

and proposed budgets. The 2008-2009 school grants funded interactive and innovative programs that help students "learn by doing" in a variety of subjects: math, science, reading, writing, technology and the environment, said Mr. Lucas. "Once again, we were very impressed with the level of creativity these teachers brought forward in the application process," Lucas said. "The real winners are the students who have the benefit of participating in these projects throughout Southwest Florida."

Sheryl Terepka, a science teacher at Challenger Middle School in Cape Coral, will use the school's $4,935 grant "to get students out of the classroom." The money will fund sixth-grade field trips to Randell Research Center on nearby Pine Island to study Florida history and Calusa Indians; four weekend visits for seventhgrade students and their parents to Six Mile Cypress Slough, including a moonlight walk; and a field trip for 30 eighthgraders to the county recycling center.

"These programs provide real-world studies of the environment and conservation," said Ms. Terepka. "It makes our lessons more meaningful."

Bonita Bay Group is currently developing six master-planned communities - Bonita Bay, Shadow Wood Preserve, Mediterra, TwinEagles, Verandah and Sandoval - along with 14 golf courses and two marinas. Additional information about the company is available at www. BonitaBayGroup.com.