By Paul Morley

For the Frontiersman

MAT-SU — One of eight $250 mini-grants recently awarded by the Mat-Su Schools Foundation went to Knik-Goose Bay Elementary School for purchase of books in Russian language. Funding was provided with matching support from Knik-Goose Bay Elementary PTA and Knik-Goose Bay Elementary School Principal Brooke Kelly to serve some 60 Russian-speaking children and others interested in exploring Russian language and culture. Mat-Su Schools Foundation President Linda Conover presented a check to teacher/grant applicant Cherie Koss at an Oct. 28 staff meeting. The grant money will help purchase picture dictionaries, Russian folk tale books, language primers and storybooks with school- and family based themes. Some are bilingual, facilitating comprehension by non-Russian speakers. Among the 50 books to be purchased are “First Hundred Words in Russian,” “Winnie-the-Pooh (R&E),” “Tales by Rudyard Kipling” (with CD), and “Russian Magnet ABCs.”

Purchase of the Russian language books will serve several goals. One is to encourage and support Russian-speaking children in the Goose Bay community by providing educational materials and encouraging pride in their cultural heritage. Another is to provide elementary materials for non-Russian speakers who may be interested in Russian culture and language. Schoolwide, the books will help promote cross-cultural awareness.

A total of eight projects were funded during the most recent grant cycle. Further information about the foundation can be obtained at www.matsuschoolsfoundation.org.

Paul Morley teaches at Burchell High School and is a member of the board of directors of the Mat-Su Schools Foundation.