Next Week, Wylie ISD students taking Advanced Placement United States History and Chemistry will travel to Hawaii for what I would consider to be the best field trip in the history of field trips! Have you ever visited the amazing Wylie ISD Birmingham Agriculture Center? It rivals anything I have ever experienced in education. What do these field trips and the agriculture center have in common? They were both made possible from one amazing funding source, The Birmingham Land Trust.
WHAT IS THE BIRMINGHAM GRANT?
What is the Birmingham Trust Grant? In 1940, Frank and Hattie Birmingham established the Franklin Ovid Birmingham Land Trust Grant in memory of their son, Ovid. For more details, please click on the link below and read Mayor Hogue’s account of the history of the grant.
Mayor Hogue’s History of the Franklin Ovid Birmingham Land Trust
On Monday, Executive Director, Jon Lewis, and Wylie Mayor, Eric Hogue, gifted Wylie ISD $587,000. Here is a brief list of what this grant has provided throughout the past few years:
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Ag trucks, tractor trailers, and other farm-related equipment.
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Student certifications to become an EMT, PCT, Pharmacy Technician, First Aid administrator, Microsoft Technology Associate, Microsoft Office Specialist, IC3 Digital Literacy representative, Solidworks representative, American Welding expert, or Veterinary Assistant.
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Student travel and competition entry fees for Career and Technology education.
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Dual Credit assistance to pay for more than 50% of the student workforce dual-credit tuition and books.
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Computers and other technology equipment.
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Audio Video Production labs and equipment.
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Robotics equipment.
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Printer plotters and CNC machines.
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Graphic design advanced copy machines.
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Networking technology and serving and switchboard technology equipment.
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Welding labs and industry-grade equipment.
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Refrigerators, lab utensils, and a complete gas range system for culinary arts.
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New industry-grade hospital beds for practicum programs.
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Kevlar vests for law enforcement.
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Latest technology needed to conduct in-depth chemistry labs.
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In-depth study materials for Advanced Placement U.S. History classrooms.
WHAT THE GRANT PROVIDES OUR KIDS
These are just a few examples of what has been gifted over the past few years and ONLY provided to students in Wylie ISD. Isn’t this amazing?
We are so grateful for the Birmingham Land Trust and the more than $13,000,000 in grant funding it has provided to Wylie ISD students
This program plays a huge role in the success of our district, and it is one more reason as to why Wylie ISD is the Texas and National standard in career and technology, dual credit, and advanced placement. It is such a blessing to live in a community that cares so much about our schools by directly investing in our students’ future.
THANK YOU!
As the superintendent of Wylie ISD, I have the privilege of helping to facilitate and support the strong foundation of our district and the people who do so much to help both students and teachers to be successful. The generosity that is shown to us by the Birmingham family has transcended over many years, and it has become a legacy and a tradition. While hundreds of students have already been positively impacted, I know that the future is bright and that there are even more opportunities for progress and success. To all of those involved in these endeavors, thank you. Because of you, we are able to provide our students and teachers with the tools they need to achieve their goals. You make a difference, and YOU ARE THE WYLIE WAY!
