It's time to use our "Outside Voices"!
SPEAK UP TO SAVE GEORGIA's GOLD GRANTS!
ACTION NEEDED:
Contact your Georgia Senator and Representative TODAY to let them know you support funding to continue GOLD Grants for the Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration program. It is critically important that they hear from you TODAY to keep this line item off the chopping block in the last days of the legislative session. Here’s how to do it:
First, find your legislators’ name and email address by going to this web site and entering your home address: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ (Note: “Upper house“ refers to Senate and “Lower house“ refers to House of Representatives).
Write an email to your Senator and Representative and copy it to Senator Sheik Rahman (chair of the Study Committee on Outdoor Learning), Senator Blake Tillery (chair of Senate Appropriations Committee, Rep Matt Hatchett (chair of House Appropriations Committee) and Rep Matt Dubnik (House Appropriations for Education) at these addresses:
Sheik.Rahman@senate.ga.gov
Blake.Tillery@senate.ga.gov
Matt.Hatchett@house.ga.gov
Matt.Dubnik@house.ga.gov
I am writing to ask you to fund GOLD Grants again this year, and to express our gratitude for the creation of the Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration (GOLD) program last year. These small grants fund highly-needed, cost-effective projects that improve schoolyards, prepare teachers, provide supplies, and support field trips so that Georgia children can experience the benefits of outdoor learning, on or off campus.
It’s essential to give Georgia kids a chance to learn outside because research shows that this instructional approach increases academic gains, improves student health and well-being, sharpens the focus and attention of restless students, and helps children make real-world connections to the curriculum. Outdoor learning also enjoys widespread bipartisan support, as evidenced by the findings of the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning in 2022. Please make it a priority to fund GOLD Grants by including $250,000 in the GA Department of Education budget line item this year. Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
X
BACKGROUND:
During the 2022 session, Georgia legislators passed a budget that included $75,000 for an initial round of GOLD Grants (Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration Grants). Eighty-eight schools and non-profit organizations from all parts of the state applied for these funds, which can be used for schoolyard improvements, professional learning for educators, teaching supplies, or field trips. A proposed docket will be considered and grants awarded at the State School Board meeting next week.
STATUS:
Senator Sheik Rahman, whose bipartisan Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning recommended that outdoor learning grants be funded last year, supports adding a $250,000 appropriation for GOLD Grants in the Department of Education budget for FY 2024. $75,000 was actually included in that line item by the Senate, and it is at risk of being cut to zero by the House during budget negotiations.
The large volume of applications received for the first round of GOLD Grants - despite a short application window during the winter holidays - is evidence of the great need for funds to help educators engage children in outdoor learning. There were many excellent, highly-ranked applications than could not be funded due to the small initial appropriation. Additional funding is needed so that ALL Georgia children can enjoy the health benefits, nature connection, academic gains, real-world investigations and problem solving opportunities provided by outdoor learning.
Contact your Georgia Senator and Representative TODAY to let them know you support funding to continue GOLD Grants for the Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration program. It is critically important that they hear from you TODAY to keep this line item off the chopping block in the last days of the legislative session. Here’s how to do it:
First, find your legislators’ name and email address by going to this web site and entering your home address: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ (Note: “Upper house“ refers to Senate and “Lower house“ refers to House of Representatives).
Write an email to your Senator and Representative and copy it to Senator Sheik Rahman (chair of the Study Committee on Outdoor Learning), Senator Blake Tillery (chair of Senate Appropriations Committee, Rep Matt Hatchett (chair of House Appropriations Committee) and Rep Matt Dubnik (House Appropriations for Education) at these addresses:
Sheik.Rahman@senate.ga.gov
Blake.Tillery@senate.ga.gov
Matt.Hatchett@house.ga.gov
Matt.Dubnik@house.ga.gov
I am writing to ask you to fund GOLD Grants again this year, and to express our gratitude for the creation of the Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration (GOLD) program last year. These small grants fund highly-needed, cost-effective projects that improve schoolyards, prepare teachers, provide supplies, and support field trips so that Georgia children can experience the benefits of outdoor learning, on or off campus.
It’s essential to give Georgia kids a chance to learn outside because research shows that this instructional approach increases academic gains, improves student health and well-being, sharpens the focus and attention of restless students, and helps children make real-world connections to the curriculum. Outdoor learning also enjoys widespread bipartisan support, as evidenced by the findings of the Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning in 2022. Please make it a priority to fund GOLD Grants by including $250,000 in the GA Department of Education budget line item this year. Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
X
BACKGROUND:
During the 2022 session, Georgia legislators passed a budget that included $75,000 for an initial round of GOLD Grants (Georgia Outdoor Learning Demonstration Grants). Eighty-eight schools and non-profit organizations from all parts of the state applied for these funds, which can be used for schoolyard improvements, professional learning for educators, teaching supplies, or field trips. A proposed docket will be considered and grants awarded at the State School Board meeting next week.
STATUS:
Senator Sheik Rahman, whose bipartisan Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning recommended that outdoor learning grants be funded last year, supports adding a $250,000 appropriation for GOLD Grants in the Department of Education budget for FY 2024. $75,000 was actually included in that line item by the Senate, and it is at risk of being cut to zero by the House during budget negotiations.
The large volume of applications received for the first round of GOLD Grants - despite a short application window during the winter holidays - is evidence of the great need for funds to help educators engage children in outdoor learning. There were many excellent, highly-ranked applications than could not be funded due to the small initial appropriation. Additional funding is needed so that ALL Georgia children can enjoy the health benefits, nature connection, academic gains, real-world investigations and problem solving opportunities provided by outdoor learning.
GOLD Grants are here from the Georgia Department of Education!
created by recommendation of the bipartisan Georgia Senate Study Committee on Outdoor Learning
KEY INFORMATION
Grants will be awarded on March 23, 2023 (from 2022 funds). Results will be shown here as soon as possible.
Grants will be awarded on March 23, 2023 (from 2022 funds). Results will be shown here as soon as possible.
- Eligible Applicants:
- Schools and school districts
- Public agencies and non-profit organizations that provide outdoor learning opportunities for students
- Eligible Projects:
- Professional learning,
- Schoolyard improvements,
- Student supplies and equipment, and / or
- Field trips to natural areas (or in-school)
- Grant Amounts: $500 - $5000
- Grant Deadline: Extended til 11:59pm Thurs January 12, 2023
- Grant Award Timeline:
- State Board of Education will approve grant docket in mid February;
- Grants available in March for use this spring
GOLD Grant Application Forms
Download the Preview-Application Here:
| preview_of_ga_outdoor_learning_demonstration__gold__grant_application.pdf |
Scroll to View the Preview-Application Here:
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