Education Foundation opens with pancakes

Come for the pancakes. Make a commitment for the kids.

The Bridge City ISD Education Foundation is hosting an Alumni Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 in the Bridge City High School Cafeteria.

It’s the first official fundraiser for the BCISD Education Foundation, local citizens aiming to support BCISD faculty and students.

Friday, Oct. 8 is Bridge City’s homecoming football game against Hardin-Jefferson.

Wake up Saturday, come out and visit with fellow alumni.

A full breakfast is $10, and you can get premier seating and waiter service with a $15 ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance on the BCISD Education Foundation’s Facebook page.

Formation of the Education Foundation began last May and became official with the school board’s blessing in July.

“Bridge City is one of the few districts in our area without an Education Foundation, and we felt it was needed to provide funding for projects that will enhance BCISD students’ education and lead to more opportunities in their future,” said Patty Collins, Chair of the Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to generate funding that will enrich teaching, inspire learning, develop leadership and enhance opportunities for BCISD students that would not otherwise be available, Collins said.

“We have excellent and creative teachers in our district who could work magic with just a bit of additional funding,” she said.

Dr. Mike Kelly, Bridge City’s schools superintendent, said he was excited to see how the Foundation will contribute to students’ success.

“We are blessed to have this dedicated group of individuals working to support our teachers and students,” he said. “The Foundation is full of passionate people that care deeply about our educational system.

“I look forward to working with the Bridge City Education Foundation.”

Board members include Mickey Gisclair, Vice Chair; Joseph Hargrave, Treasurer; Lori Ess, Secretary; and Directors Judge Courtney Arkeen, Karen Collier, David Ess, Andrew Havens, Chrissy LaComb, David Rutledge and Amy Moore.

Non-voting members of the Education Foundation board are Mark Anderson, the BCISD Trustee Representative; Dr. Kelly, Superintendent; and Dr. Gina Mannino, BCISD District Representative.

“We’ve had a lot of luck getting people involved,” Collins said. “We continue to have people inquire.

“Our board is at 11 now, but I expect it will keep growing. There’s a lot of excitement about it in Bridge City.”

Besides getting citizens on board, the Education Foundation will be looking to partner with local businesses and industry.

“We anticipate the largest portion of our funds will be generated through grant writing efforts, as well as support from local business and industry recognizing that BCISD helps to prepare their future successful workforce,” Collins said.

More information is available at the Foundation’s Facebook page. A website, BCISDEducationFoundation.org , will be up and running soon with more information and details on how to support BCISD.