Clyde Irwin Elementary School
2005 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients

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"The Bright Ideas Program, sponsored by Jones Onslow EMC, has become a stellar example of how the business world can partner with the educational community surrounding it. The grant commitment provided through the program is a powerful message to all regarding the dedication of Jones-Onslow EMC to the community's future. Students and educators have benefited tremendously from this investment and support of innovative and creative learning opportunities, and look forward to continued participation in this program."

Dr. Kathy T. Spencer
Superintendent
Onslow County Schools

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Jones-Onslow EMC, in conjunction with its statewide organization, North Carolina EMC, is proud to sponsor this educational grant program for teachers and principals at area public schools.

Bright Ideas was created to distribute mini-grants to support innovative, creative, and effective initiatives that cannot be covered by traditional school financing. The grants are awarded for projects in any discipline and are intended to help school personnel by acquiring needed materials, teaching units, and hands-on opportunities to enhance their student's education.

After fourteen years, Jones-Onslow's Bright Ideas Grant Program has awarded grants totaling $500,000 to educators in the area. These grants have had a direct impact on the education of some 200,000 students in Jones, Onslow and the Topsail Schools of Pender county. Last year, Jones-Onslow awarded a total of $60,000 in grant money. The grants supplement, not replace, state and local funds, they are available to all public school teachers and principals, grades K-12. Educators are eligible regardless of whether their school is served by Jones-Onslow EMC or another utility.

Grants are awarded based on their effectiveness through innovative and creative teaching methods, ongoing benefits and possibility of replication in other settings, and the direct involvement of as many students as possible without compromising the instructional value.
For more information about the Bright Ideas Program, call Jones-Onslow at (910) 353-1940 or (910) 577-6350 and speak with Paula Redick, the cooperative's Community Relations and Key Accounts Manager.