Richards R-V (Missouri) Teacher Receives Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative in cooperation with Community Foundation of the Ozarks

INFORMATION RELEASE

RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE/ www.ruralschoolscollaborative.org

CONTACT: Gary Funk, director, 417-848-9083; gfunk@ruralschoolscollaborative.org

November 13, 2015

Richards R-V (Missouri) Teacher Receives Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative in conjunction with Community Foundation of the Ozarks

The Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) recognized a Richards R-V teacher for receiving a grant through RSC’s inaugural Grants in Place program. Funds for the grant award were provided in part by the Missouri-based Community Foundation of the Ozarks and individual donors. Richards R-V is a small K-8 district located in and around West Plains, MO.

Richard R-V Life Skills class students and their teacher, Sonya Jones, were awarded $700 to partner with Birthday Blessings, a local organization, to sew blankets and stuffed toys for children in dire need. Jones is the district’s K-8 art instructor and Life Skills facilitator.

Carol Silvey, Senior Associate for Advancement with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, presented the Grants in Place award recognition to Ms. Jones at the Richards R-V School. A long time West Plains resident, Silvey is also on the Rural Schools Collaborative board of directors.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its own Rural Schools Partnership are founding members of the new Collaborative. CFO works with numerous communities in the Missouri Ozarks has an affiliated community foundation based out of West Plains.

The Rural Schools Collaborative was organized in 2014 and launched in April 2015. RSC believes that community-based instruction, thoughtful collaboration, and targeted philanthropy strengthen the fabric of rural places. Its Grants in Place program is funding 35 innovative projects in seven states.

The organization is currently engaged in eight states with an administrative office in Cambridge, Wisconsin.