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Thanks to the generosity of Tom and Laura Hafford, the College Station ISD Education Foundation has established its first named endowment for teacher grants.  Given to honor their daughter, Jill Faith who is a counselor at A&M Consolidated High School, the Hafford Family Endowed Teacher Grant will provide $1,000 annually to support teacher grants.

With inflation on the rise, money has become tight, especially for families with children in school. Chrissy’s Closet, named after longtime College Station ISD employee Chrissy Hester, is a local nonprofit organization that works to provide College Station ISD students, families and staff with clothing and personal hygiene products. Director of Student Services, Chrissy Hester, says at Chrissy’s Closet, they strive to make families feel like they are shopping at a store without the expensive price tag.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, College Station ISD Education Foundation surpassed a landmark $1 million in scholarships awarded since its inception in 1999. This year, 117 scholarships totaling $159,100 were awarded to reach this monumental achievement. The annual scholarship awards reception was held on Monday, May 15, at Pebble Creek Country Club. Over 500 students, family members and donors attended the red-carpet-themed event sponsored by Avinext.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation shined a light on six innovative teaching grants Thursday. It was a part of the foundation’s Grant Showcase at College Station High School and River Bend Elementary.

As part of a $88,000 corporate grant from the Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation to help foster stronger communities and families across the state of Texas, CSISD food pantries at 3 intermediate, 3 middle and 2 high schools will receive funds to stock food items for students in need. Educators know that when kids are hunger-free, they are better equipped to learn. Thank you Brookshire Brothers for your support!
Pictured (l-r): Ericka Mitchell - EF Donor Relations, Melissa Crager - Brookshire Brothers Public Relations and Corporate Responsibly Manager and Teresa Benden - EF Executive Director

Celebrity Chefs were ready for nearly 2,000 guests at the 15th annual 50 Men Who Can Cook benefiting the CSISD Education Foundation and CSISD teachers and students.

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - School resources like Hope’s Locker in Bryan ISD and Chrissy’s Closet in College Station ISD have seen an uptick of those in need this school year. Both have been lifelines through challenges like COVID-19 and inflation, providing essentials like clothes, shoes, toiletries and more to students, families and district employees in need.

Sixty-one OUTSTANDING Seniors have been selected by their respective high school teachers as the 2023 CSISD SENIOR HALL OF FAME!

With the support of the A&M Consolidated and College Station high school cheerleaders, drumlines and mascots, the CSISD Education Foundation, school board and community members made their way down the hallways of all 19 campuses to surprise teachers with innovative learning grants.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - College Station ISD kicked off its Education Foundation Grant Patrol where staff, donors, cheerleaders and a drumline traveled to different school campuses to surprise teachers that have been awarded the grants.

Every year, the College Station Independent District's Education Foundation collaborates with CSISD to give extra funding to educators and resources that is not in the district's budget.

EF Board of Directors presented a check to CSISD representing the $63,553 given back to schools during the Employee Giving Campaign.

The Education Foundation was pleased to co-sponsor speaker, George Couros to kick-off the school year at the annual CSISD convocation.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation awarded more than $154,000 in scholarships to 115 graduating seniors at its annual scholarship awards ceremony Monday night.

After awarding $337,000 in innovative teacher grants in the fall, members and supporters of the College Station ISD Education Foundation toured two of the district’s campuses to see the funded programs in use.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Examples of investing in the future were on full display as College Station ISD’s Education Foundation toured multiple schools to see what the money they’ve raised for teacher and students have been put to use. 70 grants have been awarded during the school and were able to impact over 14,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff members across the district.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The College Station ISD Education Foundation held its grant showcase at two area schools today A&M Consolidated High School and Spring Creek Elementary.

Tuesday night was a dual celebration for those in the College Station school district as 67 students were recognized as College Station ISD Education Foundation Hall of Fame students, who then in turn honored educators who impacted their lives.

The 67 students represent about 6% of the graduating seniors in the district, with students from A&M Consolidated High School, College Station High School and College View High School selected.

Since its launch in September 2020, has been committed to telling the stories of the Brazos Valley and making a difference along the way.

That's why is presenting checks worth nearly $10,000 to nonprofit organizations that work tirelessly to help those in need.

The following four organizations received funds:

College Station ISD Education Foundation
SARC (Sexual Assault Resource Center)
Brazos Valley Food Bank
The Hispanic Forum of Bryan-College Station

Two teachers at Cypress Grove Intermediate School in College Station are using a leadership program to get students involved with creating new playground equipment.

Michelle Dalton and Matthew Herring, along with 10 students and parent volunteers, are building a gaga pit for the school’s playground. The structure will be an octagonal pit used to play the game gaga, which is similar to dodgeball, but hits must be limited to below the knees.

Following a break due to COVID-19, thousands of people roamed the Brazos County Expo on Friday night, sampling barbecue, soups, chili, sides, entrées and desserts during the annual 50 Men Who Can Cook event.

After celebrating its 13th year in 2020, last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Friday night, the event, the celebrity cooks and the community returned to support the College Station ISD Education Foundation.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation is making a difference in the lives of teachers across the school district through grants. Drum lines, cheerleaders, and district officials visited College Station ISD schools on grant patrol, funding projects that take students beyond the average classroom.

The sound of drums announced the start of the 16th annual College Station ISD Education Foundation Grant Patrol when 70 grants worth more than $337,000 were awarded to teachers throughout the district.

Members of the CSISD Education Foundation, accompanied by the A&M Consolidated High School and College Station High School drumlines, cheerleaders and mascots, traveled to each of the district’s 19 campuses to surprise teachers with thousands of dollars in grant money.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation today awards an epic 70 teaching grants totaling $337,965 during its annual Grant Patrol. The number of grants and the amount awarded is a monumental achievement that surpasses last year’s total by nearly double.

On Sept. 27, 1920, the first class of A&M Consolidated High School students began the 1920-1921 school year in a lecture hall on the Texas A&M campus. Friday’s dedication came the day before this year’s graduates are set to walk the stage at the stadium.

Generations of A&M Consolidated students past and present have left a lasting impact on the grounds of A&M Consolidated High School with the Centennial Plaza. The plaza was dedicated Friday and checks were also presented to the school’s centennial fund.

More than 100 seniors in College Station high schools received a total of $130,200 from the College Station ISD Education Foundation during a scholarship reception Monday night.

This year, 65 students from A&M Consolidated, College Station, and College View High Schools were selected based on integrity, leadership, positive attitude, and dedication to their school.

Another Brazos Valley event has been put on the back burner due to the coronavirus pandemic. College Station ISD Education Foundation's 50 Men Who Can Cook is hanging up its apron until 2022.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation has canceled its annual 50 Men Who Can Cook fundraiser due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jeff Horak, Education Foundation board member and secretary of the College Station school board, announced the decision during Tuesday’s College Station school board meeting as he delivered the CSISD Education Foundation committee update

Armed with noisemakers and instruments, staff and board members of the College Station ISD Education Foundation and donors surprised teachers in the district on Wednesday morning with thousands of dollars in innovative teacher grants.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Since the beginning of the pandemic, teachers have been coming up with solutions to teach while adjusting to the new normal. Some might call it innovative teaching. The College Station ISD Education Foundation Grant Patrol awarded grants to teachers just for that purpose Wednesday.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) -Despite COVID-19 drawback local businesses and community members have stepped up once again for College Station ISD, awarding $172,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants.
“We’ve had a very generous community step up and support what we do,” said Teresa Brenden CSISD Education Foundation Executive Director.
This year the CSISD Education Foundation awarded 45 different grants to all 19 of the district’s campuses.

The Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley celebrated Philanthropy Week by awarding prizes and announcing the final Brazos Valley Gives total.
During Tuesday’s celebration at Veterans Park, Community Foundation members presented $98,500 in prizes and additional grants.

Rather than a large gathering, the students — and their families, in many cases — lined up in cars for the 20th annual scholarship awards Tuesday. One by one, each car pulled up to the presentation area outside the district’s central office, and the senior stepped out to accept a scholarship certificate and personalized yard sign, as well as pose for a photo with the donor or Education Foundation Board President Heather Simmen.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation did not let COVID-19 stop it from recognizing 58 seniors and their honored educators during the annual Hall of Fame event.

Thousands gathered in the Brazos County Expo Complex on Friday night as 50 Men Who Can Cook celebrated its 13th year.

The annual event benefits the College Station ISD Education Foundation, which in turn supports College Station schools and students. After raising $230,000 last year, Foundation Executive Director Teresa Benden said the event was on track to surpass that amount.

Led by those in the College Station High School and A&M Consolidated High School drum line and cheer squad, members of the College Station ISD Education Foundation and school district surprised teachers throughout the district with thousands of dollars in grant on Wednesday.

By the end of the day, the Education Foundation’s annual Grant Patrol had handed out 60 grants totaling $185,372. The grants will help 135 teachers, representing all 19 College Station campuses.

The College Station ISD Education Foundation awarded 60 innovative teaching grants totaling $185,372 during its annual Grant Patrol sponsored by CHI St. Joseph Health.   Foundation grants span an array of disciplines including STEM programs, literacy initiatives, career training, leadership development, flexible seating, fine arts and special education. Creative projects are funded at all 19 campuses and will impact thousands of students.

Students and families count on CSISD staff every day to inspire learning. This year, teachers and staff have multiplied their efforts and pledged $151,000 to support education in CSISD. Over 56% of employees (1,100+) have undertaken donations through the annual employee giving campaign. Pledges made to the CSISD Education Foundation campaign add up to support local schools, students
and teachers.

- Donations multiply innovative classroom projects.
- Contributions equate to scholarships for graduating seniors.
- Funds solve the equation for students in need through Chrissy’s Closet.
- Pledges equal literacy skills for young readers through the Amy Anderson Literacy Legacy.

Education Foundation Board President Heather Simmen and EF Director Teresa Benden recently presented a check to Superintendent Dr. Clark Ealy. “The $49,233 contribution to CSISD represents half of last year’s giving campaign that is invested directly back to the campuses from which donations came,” Simmen said. “We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of the district staff. Together, we are improving education in our community,” Benden shared. The Foundation also shared it’s gratitude for Dailey Company, the Title Sponsor of the 2019-2020 CSISD Employee Giving Campaign. Established in 1999, the College Station ISD Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public corporation. Tax-deductible gifts made to the foundation provide funds for opportunities above and beyond the normal operating budget of the school district which are not available through tax revenues. Its mission is to enrich teaching, inspire learning and recognize the successes of the district’s students and teachers.
 
For more information about the CSISD Education Foundation, please visit givetokids.csisd.org, email givetokids@csisd.org, check us out on social media, or contact Teresa Benden, CSISD EF Executive Director, at 979-694-5615.

Students from College Station’s three high schools were recognized Tuesday during the CSISD Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame banquet, but those honored turned the spotlight onto their teachers.

In its very first meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 100 Women of BCS donated $15,100 to the CSISD Education Foundation. The funds will be used to provide clothing and essentials through Chrissy’s Closet, as well as books through the Amy Anderson Literacy Legacy; both programs of the Education Foundation serve students in need.

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (KBTX) - Students are reaping the benefits of grants given to them this year from the College Station ISD Education Foundation. The money went towards special projects to make classrooms more interactive and fun.

On Tuesday, the grown-ups were the ones taking a field trip.

First stop: Kristin Lehrmann's class at Cypress Grove Intermediate School. They run 'Cats Coffee Cart' and make and deliver a hot cup of joe to other teachers in the school.

“Many of our special needs students will not be going to college. This gives them vocational skill that when they graduate from our program, they can go out and be employed," said Teresa Benden with the College Station ISD Education Foundation.

College Station ISD Education Foundation donors, board members and staff got a first-hand look Tuesday at how a few of the thousands of dollars in teacher grants have been used in College Station classrooms.

In the fall, the Education Foundation surprised College Station teachers with a total of $156,012 in innovative teacher grants. Even though the Grant Patrol in the fall was fun, CSISD Education Foundation Executive Director Teresa Benden said, Tuesday’s third annual Grant Showcase is arguably more impactful

Though Shannon Long’s job title at the College Station school district is technology coordinator, Jamee Brick uses a different descriptor for her friend: catalyst.

“She’s a catalyst for goodness, a catalyst for giving,” Brick said.

Long, though, shies away from the spotlight and any recognition her work might receive.

“I don’t think I do anything special or different at all,” Long said. “I really just love helping people. Even though I’m doing for other people, it completely gives me joy to do it.”

Starting as an intimate gathering of about 300 people, College Station ISD Education Foundation's 50 Men Who Can Cook fundraiser has grown over the years to where a couple thousand people usually walk through the doors.

The 12th annual event is the "signature fundraiser" for the CSISD Education Foundation. The money from Friday night's event and others throughout the year goes toward supporting scholarships, innovative teacher grants, Success 24/7, the Pre-K and Head Start book voucher program and Chrissy's Closet.